16:35 Bangor
Saturday 25 March 2017
All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10
Broxton Gates Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 3  |  2m 7f 32y  |  Good to Soft  |  9 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:36Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 45.8s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Just missed out on getting into the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival. Had run well behind Albert Bartlett third Wholestone last October and showed a good attitude to score on latest start, finding plenty for pressure. 3m looks his trip and with likely conditions ideal, should go close.
Often well fancied for handicaps such as these, but has only delivered the once this winter season, that being at Fontwell last October. Not seen since finishing well beaten at Aintree in December, although ran better than finishing position suggests, and as he's won fresh and has his conditions, isn't ruled out.
Lightly raced and only having his 11th start, so still open to a bit of improvement. Nothing wrong with his second to the game Ami Desbois at Wetherby in February but couldn't build on that at Southwell next time, although slow run race a possible excuse. Too soon to write off.
Surprise winner of a match race at Doncaster in December (defeating the 1-16 favourite Blue Rambler) and he ran well in Grade 2 company over the same C&D next time, staying on well to take third. Likely conditions fine and may not have finished improving yet.
Often looks a hard ride and can take plenty of driving, as jumping isn't always the best. Has run well on both starts at Bangor, winning once and finishing second on the other, stays well and has conditions to suit. Only 1lb higher than last winning mark, so dangerous to dismiss.
Ought to have won a competitive handicap at Cheltenham last October but rider became slightly unbalanced after the last, arguably costing him victory. Highly tried in Class 1's since and will appreciate this drop back into easier company, but may have gone off the boil and a bit to prove now.
Inconsistent, and just the one win to show from 17 starts so far. On his best behaviour when second to Behind The Wire at Newbury latest (over fences) only weakening out of it late on, but back over hurdles today and may require softer ground than he's likely to get here.
Going the right way, second in maiden/novice hurdles before getting off the mark first time in handicaps at Doncaster, despite still being green. Step up in trip here likely to suit on breeding, and although the form of the Doncaster race hasn't worked out, is unexposed and should improve.
In great form lately, winning at Huntingdon and Market Rasen and then a solid second to the unexposed Justification at Sandown, but it's possible the handicapper has caught up with him now and the yard are still struggling for winners.
Forecasts
Three Ways (7/2), Duel At Dawn (5/1), Sam Red (6/1), Wicked Willy (7/1), Boyhood (8/1), Will O'The West (8/1), Millanisi Boy (17/2), Young Dillon (10/1), Rolling Maul (12/1)
This looks a wide open contest for the money, and cases can be made for plenty of these. Boyhood would have been a strong selection had the form of his Doncaster race worked out a bit better, but he's still got improvement in him and this step up in trip may well be a positive. He can't be discounted. But preference is for top weight THREE WAYS, who has improved for the step up to 3m and was quietly fancied for the Pertemps final before getting balloted out. He can gain some compensation here. Young Dillon could be considered but his trainer is 0-15 at Bangor in the last 5 years, a worrying stat. Sam Red may bounce back.
- Three Ways
- Boyhood
- Young Dillon
Prize Money
1st: £6,498.002nd: £1,908.003rd: £954.004th: £477.00
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