15:20 Bangor
Friday 10 February 2017
All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5516:2517:00
Hampton Veterinary Centre Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus | Class 4 | 3m 5f 142y | Soft (Heavy in places) | 11 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 8m 13.2s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Still has to prove he has the stamina to stay this far, having been well beaten over a marathon trip at Market Rasen in December. Has been back in winning form since (3m, good to soft) and decent effort from this mark last time, so comes here in good competitive form.
Staying-on Fontwell win over extended 3m 1f last time on soft ground bodes well for his chances of handling this first try at an extreme trip. Raised 8lb for that, but the manner of victory suggested that the rise is fair and could again go very well.
Raised 6lb for C&D win two starts ago but found wanting from this mark at Wincanton ove extendedr 3m 2f last time. Acts well with cut and more than likely that this return to further will see another good effort from this dour stayer. Has to enter calculations.
Handicapper not being particularly benevolent towards this soft ground Uttoxeter winner (soft) from last spring, who went up 8lb for that, but has gone up a little more despite not winning since. Nonetheless, remains competitive and tries this searching trip for the first time, so possible this trip could unlock more.
Both wins were on heavy ground, so more rain would be a blessing. Stays 3m 2f but yet to be tried over this far. Grand National winning trainer knows the time of day when it comes to stayers and this lightly-raced sort looks one of the more likelier types.
2013 Scottish National winner who has been barren since. Gradually being given more of a chance again and has gone consistently well in defeat in three of his last four starts, though perhaps more place than win claims.
Won at trips up to 3m, though the last of those was 15 months ago from 6lb higher. Runner-up in Devon National this time last year, so does see out these extreme trips and gets on well with his pilot, so another with claims on some prize money.
All six wins in point-to-points and recent handicap chase at Uttoxeter have been over 3m, with a penchant for soft ground. Maybe it was just too testing at Lingfield last time after a 7lb rise and interesting now tried over this far with yard in great form.
Has won on going from good through to heavy, so forecast conditions hold no fears for this veteran whose successes have been at around 3m. Back on his last winning mark and has a better chance on the book than when making the frame on his only previous try at beyond 3m 4f.
Made the frame on his last three starts and gradually slipping in the weights. Seems to be getting the hang of things over fences of late and should be suited by the forecast ground so one of the more interesting runners.
Veteran who is a light of his 2012 glory days, though was good enough to win from a mark of 95 at Sedgefield in May. Acts well on softer ground, though not difficult to take him on here.
Forecasts
Wood Yer (9/2), Dontminddboys (5/1), Saroque (11/2), Bears Rails (13/2), Brownville (7/1), Barton Gift (10/1), Lord Heathfield (10/1), Battle Dust (12/1), Themanfrom Minella (12/1), Godsmejudge (14/1), Wellforth (33/1)
An interesting marathon event with a narrow vote going to BATTLE DUST to take it for the in-form Kim Bailey team. The trainer knows how to prepare horses for these sort of contests and brings this one to the track as a lightly-raced sort who is unexposed at the trip and has a decent profile. Bears Rails is likely to be popular with punters and should go well, while Wood Yer and Lord Heathfield can battle it out for minor money.
1. Battle Dust
2. Bears Rails
3. Wood Yer
Prize Money
1st: £6,498.002nd: £1,908.003rd: £954.004th: £477.00
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