bet365 Scottish County Hurdle (Handicap)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 49.00s

Amour de Nuit^h⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| D

13/8

Ran with the choke out when third at Doncaster last time, but the winner has franked the form and that effort can be marked up. Needs to settle better which is a concern in a small field, but is well capable of winning more races off this mark.

Form: 212153

Dear Sire^h³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 137| C| D

13/2

Progressive sort who has been climbing the handicap. Looked held when falling 3 out in the race won by Sir Chauvelin over C&D last time and may be high enough in the weights following his six wins last year.

Form: 21154F

Forth Bridge⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 135| CD

12/1

Looked promising when winning twice over C&D last season, but has found life tough after being raised in class over hurdles and has also been well held in a couple of novice chases. Return to this track needs to spark a revival.

Form: 115-43P

Sir Chauvelin³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 133| CD

6/4

Good Flat performer who has won three of his six starts over timber, including over C&D last time on his first outing over hurdles for 20 months, looking to have Dear Sire's measure when that one fell. Up 8lb, but has to be taken seriously.

Form: 13138/1

Crackdeloust^b²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 123

8/1

Wore blinkers for the first time when back to winning form at Catterick last month. Wears the headgear again and enters calculations, but 8b rise will not be easy to overcome.

Form: 33F441

Forecasts

Sir Chauvelin (6/4), Amour de Nuit (13/8), Dear Sire (13/2), Crackdeloust (8/1), Forth Bridge (12/1)

Dear Sire and Crackdeloust look to have plenty to do at the weights and Forth Bridge needs to regain his best form to figure, so this could develop into a duel between Amour De Nuit and SIR CHAUVELIN. The selection is lightly raced over hurdles, may have more to offer and can take care of the former, who pulled quite hard last time and may do better in a bigger field off a strong pace.