Rhino.Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 6.35s

Benson^p²¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 139| D

17/2

Good advert for his yard, confirming previous promise when resuming winning ways at Musselburgh (19.8f) on New Year's Day and followed up in Morebattle at Kelso in March. Couldn't complete hat-trick in Coral Cup thereafter but goes chasing now with yard amongst the winners and respected.

Form: 22211P-

Fringill Dike^b³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 130| D

5/1

Multiple hurdles winner who has made a fine start over fences (in blinkers) this summer, essentially jumping soundly when completing hat-trick at Worcester (16.5f) 31 days ago, by 2¾ lengths from Glory And Honour. Likely there's more to come.

Form: 330-111

Nells Son^p¹⁸⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 130| D

3/1

Useful novice hurdler (Grade 2 winner). This didn't go entirely to plan following a solid second on return/chase debut last autumn but he returns to action from what rates a good mark and he's worth a second look boasting a good record fresh.

Form: 246F88-

Western Zephyr¹⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: B Roberts⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 128| D

11/2

Point/bumper winner who made it 3 wins from 6 starts over hurdles with his sights lowered, landing 7-runner Huntingdon novice (15.8f) in April, knuckling down well under this rider. Interesting what the market makes of him now attentions switch to larger obstacles.

Form: 1315P1-

Snake Roll¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 126| BF| D

7/4

Ex-pointer who ran out wide-margin winner of 2 of first 3 starts over hurdles last year and finished good third in Kelso Grade 2 on penultimate outing in March. Best not judged too harshly on odds-on reversal at Perth final start and he's an interesting chase debutant.

Form: 131532-

Glory And Honour^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 118| D

16/1

Made a winning start for his new yard in 2m1f handicap chase at Cartmel in August and placed both outings since, 2¾ lengths second of 4 to Fringill Dike in handicap chase at Worcester (16.5f, good to soft, 10/3) 31 days ago. May come up short in this field.

Form: 395-122

Dancewiththewind²⁰²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: B S Hughes| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 116| D

16/1

Proved he retains all his ability following lengthy absence with back-to-back handicap hurdles at around 2m last winter. Shade underwhelming in 2 starts thereafter during the spring but he's a former point winner and Brian Hughes an eye-catching booking on return/chase bow.

Form: 031175-

Forecasts

Snake Roll (7/4), Nells Son (3/1), Fringill Dike (5/1), Western Zephyr (11/2), Benson (17/2), Glory And Honour (16/1), Dancewiththewind (16/1)

A race that looks sure to throw up plenty of winners, with NELLS SON narrowly given the vote to make a winning return. Appealing as being on a good mark on the pick of last season's form, he boasts a good record fresh and remains the type to do better still as a chaser. Snake Roll and Fringill Dike head the dangers, whilst Benson, who had a smashing 2022/23 season over timber, is also respected.