15:07 Kelso

Sunday 30 May 2021

All13:5714:3215:0715:4216:1716:5217:25

William Hill Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 3m 47.28s

French Crusader⁵⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| D

3/1

Successful handicap debut at Newbury in November 2018 and returned from a year off to finish a good second to stablemate Epatante in Listed handicap there. Off a further 18 months since, though.

Form: 521212/

Constancio^b¹⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 128| D

9/1

At the top of his game when last seen on the track, scoring at Plumpton and third off career-high mark at Doncaster. Back from 6 months off now but he can't be ruled out.

Form: 442123-

Nordic Combined^t,v²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 127| D

7/2

Resumed winning ways in 2m Hexham handicap at the start of the month only to find little when below-par seventh at Haydock last time. Others make more appeal.

Form: 5522-17

Newtown Boy¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 125| C| D

10/1

Fairly useful winner at his best but he arrives on the back of three below-par efforts. Handicap mark is easing but he still needs to step forward.

Form: 12160-5

Beeno^h³⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 123

20/1

Veteran front runner gamely landed 2m1f Cartmel handicap last August but he's failed to fire on all three subsequent outings. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 021905-

Iolani^p⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 115| CD

8/1

Back on song when landing 2m Musselburgh handicap in March only to run poorly at Ayr only start since. C&D winner so he's no forlorn hope if shrugging off latest effort.

Form: 039018-

Valentino Dancer^p,t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 115| BF| D

3/1

Fairly useful 2m winner for Olly Murphy. Took big step back in the right direction on yard debut when third of 8 in 2m handicap hurdle at Worcester 18 days ago. Figures on a winning mark. Player.

Form: 93696-3

Fisher Green^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Ross Chapman| T: M A Barnes| OR: 115| D

12/1

Readily made all in 2m handicap at Wetherby in March but he hasn't backed it up in three subsequent starts, let down by his jumping at Hexham last time. Others more persuasive.

Form: 53105-6

Forecasts

Valentino Dancer (3/1), French Crusader (3/1), Nordic Combined (7/2), Iolani (8/1), Constancio (9/1), Newtown Boy (10/1), Fisher Green (12/1), Beeno (20/1)

VALENTINO DANCER hinted strongly at a revival on his first run for Fergal O'Brien at Worcester and can capitalise on a handy mark here. Nicky Henderson's French Crusader is very lightly raced but has won off a break before so could pose the biggest threat despite returning from another long absence. Constancio also has a lay-off to overcome but is not taken lightly either.