bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 4m 20.3s

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Selected odds by:

Blu Cavalier²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: A Stronge| OR: 140

14/1

Flattered to finish third in the Betfair Hurdle (100-1) in February, first run for the stable having been bought out of a Fakenham seller when finishing second. Well held in Grade 2 company last two but more at home here.

Form: 23235-6

Scarlet Dragon^h¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 140| D

7/2

99-rated Flat performer impressed at Market Rasen in September over obstacles before proving no match for one of this season's most impressive winners at Newbury (fifth). This race more suitable and highly respected contender.

Form: 9/154-15

Irish Roe²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: P Atkinson| OR: 139| CD

3/1

2m4f Aintree success to end last season took her overall record to 8-22. Not beaten far into fifth on return over the same C&D so respected here although 2m may be on the sharp side now.

Form: 7394-15

Red Tornado¹⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: J Kington| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 129| D

40/1

Six-time winner over hurdles for Dan Skelton but winless on the Flat and over hurdles since joining this yard. Mark now within range but others more compelling.

Form: 821430-

Nayati¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 129| D

9/1

Won three times in a busy 12-race 2019 but unfortunately comes here after back-to-back falls at Wetherby (at the first) and at Kempton (two out). Now a few question marks over his jumping then.

Form: 7123FF

Speed Company^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 126| C

7/2

Useful Flat performer got off the mark over hurdles first time out with an impressive score at Chepstow. Held in a harder race at Ascot latest off a higher mark but gets 2lb back and can be considered again here.

Form: 2333-17

Faro De Kerser²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 124

12/1

Decisive winner of a conditions hurdle (2m½f, good to soft) on his only start in France. Finished fourth at Wetherby on UK debut but showed up more prominently than that for much of the way. Very unexposed handicap debutant.

Form: 1-4

Curramore³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L B Normile| OR: 118| D

4/1

Handicap debutant won twice in bumpers before getting off the mark over hurdles latest in a Carlisle maiden. This a great deal tougher but feather weight means he's not to be taken lightly.

Form: 11532-1

Forecasts

Irish Roe (3/1), Speed Company (7/2), Scarlet Dragon (7/2), Curramore (4/1), Nayati (9/1), Faro De Kerser (12/1), Blu Cavalier (14/1), Red Tornado (40/1)

A tricky contest this but Alan King's useful dual-purpose performer SCARLET DRAGON gets the vote. In Epatante he bumped into a likely Grade One performer latest but his win at Market Rasen the time before reads well in this context. Thoroughly likable mare Irish Roe may find 2m on this flat track un-ideal but she isn't taken lightly. Unexposed four-year-old Faro De Kerser is hard to gauge; market support for him would be very notable.