Grace And Dotty Country Clothing Conditional Jockeys' Training Series Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:48 | Winning time: 4m 9.56s

El Jefe^h,t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Ben Smith| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 105| D

5/1

Scored 5 times in 2023/24 season, culminating in a career-best display at the Aintree Grand National meeting. No show last season but confirmed positive signs from reappearance when posting a very good second at Haydock (18.9f) 5 weeks ago, finishing with a flourish. One to note.

Form: 7060-32

Lexie's Moon¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Benjamin Macey| T: L Horsfall| OR: 104| D

5/4

Didn't kick on from reappearance success at Stratford (16.3f, heavy) last season but showed benefit of her respective return this time around when posting a very good staying on second of 14 in handicap hurdle at Fontwell (19.1f) 13 days ago. Forecast conditions firmly in her favour back in trip.

Form: 1384-62

Kenzoko²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Lewis Saunders⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 100

6/4

Has been brought along steadily and he posted easily his best effort yet switched to a handicap when runner-up in a C&D contest 24 days ago. That rates solid form at this level and he's very much of interest with prospect of more to come.

Form: 9/0-062

Lupus Regem^b1,p⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Murray Dodd| T: H Dickin| OR: 96| D

20/1

Lightly raced and largely out of form since late 2021 but he did at least confirm some ability remains from much-reduced mark when third of 7 in handicap hurdle at Leicester (15.5f, heavy, 40/1) 45 days ago, weakening run-in. Blinkers replace usual cheekpieces now but others rate stronger.

Form: P505-P3

The Longest Day^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Atkins| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 77

12/1

Lightly-raced since scoring twice at Perth in 2023 and not kicked on from his belated reappearance Newton Abbot third in trio of subsequent starts this term. Can only be watched.

Form: 46-34U0

Forecasts

Lexie's Moon (5/4), Kenzoko (6/4), El Jefe (5/1), The Longest Day (12/1), Lupus Regem (20/1)

Low-mileage 6-y-o KENZOKO shaped up well in a race that looks solid form for the grade (third has scored since) when runner-up on handicap debut over C&D 24 days ago and, open to further progress, Olly Murphy's charge rates a solid proposition. Fellow in-form pair El Jefe and Lexie's Moon should ensure he doesn't have things all his own way.