15:45 Plumpton

Monday 21 April 2025

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:1916:5517:35

Southern Cranes Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 5m 2.7s

Mr Escobar^h¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Kieran Callaghan⁽⁵⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 126

5/1

A fairly useful winner at 12f on flat but he's an unreliable sort and came in last of 10 in handicap at Lingfield (15.8f, AW) 52 days ago, weakening quickly. Needs to bounce back switched to hurdles for his handicap hurdle debut. Engaged Plumpton 5.15 Sunday.

Form: 5R212

Excelero^h⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 123

6/1

Arrives on a hat-trick after novice wins at Bangor and Exeter (18.5f, soft) either side of Christmas. Can make his presence felt after a break back in handicap company.

Form: 41-3911

Ambion View⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 123| BF

18/1

Resumed with success in 2m2f maiden hurdle at Exeter in October and has continued in good nick, third of 7 in novice there (16.7f, heavy) 59 days ago. Back up in trip for his handicap hurdle debut and very much one to consider.

Form: 33-1F23

Escapologist³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: James Owen| OR: 119

12/1

Got off the mark at Fakenham in January and looked on the up until a below-form second of 7 in novice hurdle at Southwell (20.4f, good to soft) 35 days ago. In excellent hands and worth another chance now now going into handicaps.

Form: 743122

Elysian Knight²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 119

9/2

Got right back on track with a second success of the season in 2m5f novice hurdle at Fontwell 24 days ago by 6 lengths from Authentic Legacy. Well on top at the finish there so has to be taken seriously on just his second handicap start.

Form: 6413P1

Wicked Thoughts^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 118

14/1

Readily opened his hurdling account with a career best in 4-runner novice hurdle at Ascot (19.3f, good to firm) 22 days ago. Not taken lightly now going handicapping.

Form: 12-2F21

Illegal D'ainay⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 116| C

8/1

Course winner who comes here on the back of a good fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Windsor (20f, good to soft) 92 days ago. Shortlisted after a break.

Form: 2/U1234

Star Of Affinity^t⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Tom Cannon| T: J Tizzard| OR: 115| D

16/1

Largely progressive sort who bagged a third win of the season at Kempton in February. Respectable third of 7 in handicap hurdle at Newbury (20.5f, soft) 52 days ago. Considered.

Form: 123113

As The Fella Says⁷¹

3/1

Fairly useful form when runner-up on his first two starts but only fourth of 6 to Excelero in novice hurdle at Exeter (18.5f, soft) 71 days ago. Makes handicap hurdle debut on the back of a wind op so could bounce back.

Form: 24-1224

Mostly Sunny^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 109

14/1

A 3-time winner on the Flat who struck twice over hurdles for Dan Skelton at the start of the season. Below par of late though, fifth of 7 at Ludlow last month. Needs to take a step forward.

Form: 920575

Non-Runners

Authentic Legacy²⁴

Weight: 11-6| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: Caoilin Quinn

Confinentic⁷⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: C Gordon J: Freddie Gordon

Forecasts

As The Fella Says (3/1), Elysian Knight (9/2), Mr Escobar (5/1), Excelero (6/1), Authentic Legacy (13/2), Illegal D'ainay (8/1), Confinentic (10/1), Escapologist (12/1), Mostly Sunny (14/1), Wicked Thoughts (14/1), Star Of Affinity (16/1), Ambion View (18/1)

Lots with chances but ELYSIAN KNIGHT looks to have got in lightly reverted to handicap company on the back of his emphatic Fontwell novice victory so gets the vote. Paul Nicholls' handicap debutant Wicked Thoughts heads the list of dangers, although a whole host of others can also have a say including As The Fella Says, Confinentic, Escapaologist and Authentic Legacy.