15:55 Bangor
Friday 10 February 2017
All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5516:2517:00
Excel Signs Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 145y | Soft (Heavy in places) | 12 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 4m 15.2s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
6lb lower than his last win, which was at Wetherby in March last year, though beaten in all 11 starts since. Tough task shouldering top weight in the forecast ground but does have a jockey that claims an allowance.
Won a novices' handicap chase at Sedgefield last season and has made the frame twice over hurdles. Largely been racing over further than this, so it is to be hoped that first-time headgear can galvanise him to greater efforts over 2m. Very interesting following a drop in the weights and a sizable claim to come off his racing weight.
Generally reserves his best for trips around 2m 4f, but has won over the minimum and connections will probably be hoping for the really testing ground that he thrives on, especially over this trip.
0-9 under rules thus far but sent off favourite at Wetherby last time, where he would probably have claimed a place but for falling at the last. Up 2lb for his pains and now dropped in trip. Not one to support with confidence.
10lb hike for scoring at Ayr last time and that looks prohibitive given his CV. Likely going and trip very much in his favour, but has had numerous chances when this high in the weights.
Winning miler (BHA rating of 75) on the Flat who has made the frame just once from six attempts over hurdles. A 5lb drop here won't do him any harm and with his claimer's allowance to boot, he should get much closer this time.
Sole success came at Ludlow in 2014 off a mark of 86, but has run well in defeat from 97 last spring. Nonetheless, still looks to have too much weight at the moment and would ideally prefer good in the going description.
Stable has been among the winners of late and this could have been one that got away, disputing the running when falling late on at Fontwell last month. Given that he has won over 2m 3f on heavy, this may not be a stiff enough test of stamina to bring out his best, but he cannot be ruled out all the same.
Not been seen in action since October 2015 and now on a mark that would give her a chance if fully wound up for this but percentage call says she will need the run.
Relishes cut in the ground over 2m to 2m 4f and after a string of defeats he is now 1lb below the mark from which he last won (December 2015, Uttoxeter). Yard in good form and any market confidence would heighten interest.
Likeable veteran, all of whose winning has been at around this minimum trip and on all types of ground. Now a stone below the last of his successes but showed at Lingfield last time that he remains competitive in this grade and has been given a chance.
Runner-up in a good ground Uttoxeter maiden hurdle in May and not seen since pulled up at Worcester in July. Handles cut in the ground and lightly raced, but a market check will probably give us a clearer idea as to stable confidence from this mark.
Forecasts
Ballycash (11/4), Hollywood All Star (5/1), Dormouse (5/1), Beggar's Wishes (15/2), Hartside (10/1), Nice Thoughts (10/1), De Bene Esse (14/1), Suprise Vendor (16/1), Isabellesprincess (20/1), Arquebusier (20/1), Hughesie (25/1), One Cool Boy (33/1)
Dormouse has been given a decent chance of getting back to winning ways today and the veteran would not be winning out of turn, but higher up in the weights HUGHESIE has a few positives too and with both, a drop in the weights and his rider's claim, he has his best chance to date of breaking his hurdling duck. Nice Thoughts and Ballycash are others that look set to run well.
1. Hughesie
2. Ballycash
3. Dormouse
Prize Money
1st: £6,498.002nd: £1,908.003rd: £954.004th: £477.00
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