Constitution Hill warrants superior rating despite Jonbon's weekend form boost

Kelso staged the weekend's best card with the County Hurdle-bound Cormier (RPR 139+) readily holding the late challenges of recent course winner Saint D'Oroux (142) and Faivoir (146) in the valuable bet365 Morebattle Hurdle.

Admittedly, with half of the flights being omitted because of the low sun, it might not prove the most reliable guide, but, using fourth home Severance (126) as a guide, the winner is judged to have improved by 5lb since beating that rival over the County Hurdle course and distance in January. He will probably need to improve at least as much again to complete the hat-trick under a penalty at the festival, but he is progressive and clearly versatile ground wise.

Earlier on the card the form of Jonbon's Grade 2 Haydock win was given a boost of sorts when the Nicky Richards-trained Nells Son (138+) gained a narrow verdict over the useful North Lodge (142) in the Grade 2 bet365 Premier Novices' Hurdle.