Brilliant Bowen leads the field

OLLY Murphy is eyeing an immediate step up to Grade One level with Alnilam after he produced a spring-heeled display to strike gold on the opening day of the season at Cheltenham.

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Aided by champion jockey Sean Bowen, the Warren Chase handler headed for the Cotswolds in sensational form following a Perth fourtimer and a treble at Worcester earlier this week, and Alnilam had looked a smart addition to the chasing ranks when making a successful start at Uttoxeter three weeks ago.

Dan Skelton’s Country Mile, the runner-up at Uttoxeter, was again in opposition in the Holland Cooper ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase at Prestbury Park and the pair went off 9-4 joint-favourites for the rematch - but Alnilam confirmed his superiority in some style.

After jumping well and setting a strong gallop alongside Centara, who was eventually pulled up, Alnilam had a significant advantage over the chasing pack rounding the home turn and any chance Country Mile had of closing the gap ended when he ploughed through the second fence from home.