bet365 Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 5m 22.1s

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Selected odds by:

Boagrius^t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 122

13/2

First-time tongue tie appeared to help as he produced his best effort to date in either code when runner-up at Market Rasen (2m1f, soft) on Boxing Day when close second of six. Lightly-raced bumper winner can do better, up in trip.

Form: 3224-P2

Rainy City^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Henry Brooke| T: I Jardine| OR: 120| D

13/2

Frustrating when with Paul Nicholls, despite racking up three hurdles wins in six-week spell in 2016. Hasn't shaped with great purpose for this handler, though marginal improvement here over hurdles on New Year's Day. Unconvincing in chases.

Form: 226645

Cousin Oscar⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 118WS

3/1

Useful hurdler, with two wins from seven outings, finished 16L second of four over C&D in December on second chase start. Undergone wind surgery since, feasibly on a good mark having dropped 4lb. Noted.

Form: 1P-4632

Imperial Prince²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: I A Duncan| OR: 107

40/1

A dual winning hurdler when with Sandy Thomson he's shown very little in three runs for this yard so far, including at Ayr recently when pulled up on chase bow after a blunder three out. Others appeal more.

Form: 311/P9P

Celtic Flames^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 106

14/1

Winner of a Hereford novice chase (2m, heavy) in November on debut over these obstacles, though well held both starts since including last month when beaten a long way over this trip at Ayr on heavy going. Bit to prove right now.

Form: 464145

The Last But One⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 105| BF

10/3

Unable to get off the mark over hurdles but represents powerful trainer and may have better prospects now sent chasing. Trainer has a 45% strike rate here (5-11) over previous 12 months. One to take note of in betting.

Form: 6873-P2

Mahlerdramatic^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 103

5/1

Dual bumper winner who made a winning start over hurdles and held his form well in two subsequent starts last season. Lost his way a bit this term, blundered and pulled on chase bow at Wincanton (3m, soft) on Boxing Day.

Form: 32-658P

Boy's On Tour¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 97

7/1

Lightly-raced individual, produced much the best of his efforts since joining Lucinda Russell over C&D last month when just touched off having led up the run in. 4lb wrong at these weights but merits serious though after improved showing.

Form: P55942

Forecasts

Cousin Oscar (3/1), The Last But One (10/3), Mahlerdramatic (5/1), Rainy City (13/2), Boagrius (13/2), Boy's On Tour (7/1), Celtic Flames (14/1), Imperial Prince (40/1)

The market may prove informative for this opener but COUSIN OSCAR is an interesting contender in any case. He was well held in second over this C&D on his second chase start but has undergone a wind operation since and also gained 4lb relief from the handicapper. With those factors in his favour, Donald McCain's charge should mount a serious challenge. The Last But One has got to improve for the switch to fences, and there's every reason to suggest he will, but trainer Paul Nicholls' 45% strike rate at the track over the previous year ensures he piques interest, while Boy's On Tour produced his best work to date when going down in a photo over C&D last month and is one to note again. Potential improver Boagrius is the best of the remainder.