Noughties Friday 31st May Handicap

Off time: 20:00 | Winning time: 1m 38.48s

(3)

James McHenry²²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 87| D

5/2

Made a bright start to last season, winning his first 2 outings. Not seen to best effect on final 2 starts of the campaign, not ideally placed when eighth of 10 in handicap at Leicester (10f, good, 12/1) in October. Respected.

Form: 160368-

(2)

Redarna^p¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-11| J: P Mulrennan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 87| CD

3/1

Four-time course winner, with his latest success here last August. Has run well both starts this year, fourth of 14 in handicap (16/1) at Thirsk (8f, soft) 16 days ago. Leading contender returned to this lower grade.

Form: 9160-54

(5)

Ernie's Valentine^t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Loughnane| T: D Loughnane| OR: 81| D

4/1

Returned to winning ways at Kempton (8f) in April, before being drawn wide when ninth of 14 in handicap (11/1) at the same C&D 19 days ago. Worth another chance with conditions to suit back to turf.

Form: 927719

(1)

Detective²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Connor Murtagh| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 74| CD

10/1

Five-time course winner. After 6 months off, last of 13 in handicap at Musselburgh (12.5f, good to soft, 80/1) 29 days ago, though he's not written off back down in trip returned to this venue.

Form: 34247-0

(4)

Fools Rush In^t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 74| D

6/1

Twenty-one runs since last win in 2022. Ran better than on yard debut when ninth of 13 in handicap at Chester (7.6f, good to firm, 16/1) 10 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Task is now to build on his latest outing.

Form: 4445-09

(6)

Strongbowe^p³²

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 74| CD

15/2

C&D winner last summer. After 6 months off, probably needed the run when last of 9 in handicap (50/1) at Ripon (8f, heavy) 32 days ago. Now 2 lb below his last winning mark with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 92660-9

Forecasts

James McHenry (5/2), Redarna (3/1), Ernie's Valentine (4/1), Fools Rush In (6/1), Strongbowe (15/2), Detective (10/1)

REDARNA has returned in decent heart this year, making the frame in the Thirsk Hunt Cup on his latest outing, so he can take advantage of this drop in grade to get back to winning ways. James McHenry made a winning reappearance last season and could be the main danger, ahead of Ernie's Valentine.