Brian Ellison Racing Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 4m 18.09s

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Selected odds by:

Bollin Ace¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: T D Easterby| OR: 134| C

5/1

A solid performer at this track over hurdles (3,2,4,1,1,2), but yet to tackle fences in public. The pick of his form is seemingly over 2m4f, but it's little concern that he arrives here on the back of a hurdles fall (hampered).

Form: 311F2-F

Burrenbridge Hotel²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 122| D

6/5

Now 2 from 3 over fences, and was a ready 14L winner at Taunton (2m soft) in late December. However, he has been hit with an 11lb rise for that success, and was comfortably beaten on his previous visit to this track (chasing debut).

Form: 1-7P511

Prairie Town^p¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Lee Edwards| T: A W Carroll| OR: 118| D

8/1

Hasn't looked overly proficient on each of his three previous attempts over fences, admittedly in a much stronger race than this one at Ascot in December. Lacks a positive career trajectory at present, but at least his mark is gradually easing.

Form: 33-0348

Beau Bay^h,t¹⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 117| BF

2/1

Well suited by cut in the ground and hacked up on his chasing debut at Perth in August (2m4f soft). Consistent thereafter, and arrives here fresh off a short break since finishing 2L second to Derintoher Yank at Carlisle in October (2m soft).

Form: 213322

Forecasts

Burrenbridge Hotel (6/5), Beau Bay (2/1), Bollin Ace (5/1), Prairie Town (8/1)

Burrenbridge Hotel absolutely skated in at Taunton in late December, so in many ways an 11lb rise in the weights was to be expected, and in facing just the three rivals here, he's probably found the ideal opportunity to land the hat-trick. However, he will be short enough in the market, and there are also plenty of positives to associate with BEAU BAY; not least the fact that Sam Twiston-Davies travels North to take the ride. He appreciates cut underfoot, and his form over fences is respectable (beaten by the likes of Bigirononhiship at Hexham, and Carlisle specialist Derintoher Yank during October). Arriving a fresh horse off a short break, this 2m trip shouldn't unduly inconvenience.