15:05 Bangor
Saturday 20 May 2017
All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20
Wrexham Lager Original Brew Novices' Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 5  |  2m 3f 123y  |  Good to Soft (Soft in places)  |  10 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 15:05Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 4.40s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Easy 10L success over C&D (good) last time induced a 10lb rise. Takes on novices in this handicap and ought to be very competitive again.
Yet to make the frame in five starts over hurdles, his best effort at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) in December when in novices' company some way short of what is likely to be required here. Dropped 5lb since a 26L defeat on his handicap debut back at that venue and although fit from the Flat he needs to improve over hurdles.
Lightly-raced maiden both on the Flat over hurdles. Ran to a similar level of form in a Newton Abbot novices' hurdle (2m1f, good to firm) and a Taunton maiden hurdle (2m½f, good to firm) last month. Makes his handicap debut from a tough enough mark and perhaps best watched today.
Moderate form so far in bumpers and over hurdles. 20/1 and had excuses when badly hampered on his handicap debut at Newton Abbot (2m5½f, good) earlier in the month. Drops back in trip today and also 3lb lower, so may be able to do better.
Goes into this race 19lb lower than his original handicap mark and made the frame for just the second time since going handicapping when 1lb lower at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) last time. Had every chance at the last there and was beaten 4L. A reproduction could again see him in the money.
Has thrived since joining this stable, winning both his starts for it at Plumpton (2m, good to firm) and Sedgefield (2m1f, good) easily. Now tries to complete a quickfire hat-trick in the space of just six days shouldering a 14lb penalty. Progressive and still looks the one to beat.
Very modest form in bumpers and in novices'/maiden hurdles. Made his handicap debut over C&D (good) last time led for much of the way before tiring on the run-in to finish a 14½L fourth. 3lb lower today and capable of better.
Maiden point-to-point winner who has shown little over hurdles when completing two of her four starts. Pulled up last time over C&D (good) when tried in cheekpieces and looks one to watch for now.
Has failed to deliver on the promise that she showed in her first couple of bumper runs last year, being well beaten on all five starts over hurdles, on a variety of going and over trips from 2m2½f-2m6f. Impossible to recommend today.
Well beaten in both handicap hurdle runs so far, dropping 10lb in the process. Drops back in trip today, but little encouragement in his form to suggest that he can come good this time.
Forecasts
Too Many Diamonds (4/7), Blue April (5/1), Midnight Walk (11/2), Sidsteel (16/1), Faction (20/1), Kilmoganny (25/1), Midnight Queen (28/1), Midnight Owle (28/1), Turnbury (40/1), Fair Ask (50/1)
An interesting contest in that it pits last-time winner Midnight Walk against the hat-trick seeking TOO MANY DIAMONDS and preference is for the latter. Dan Skelton's gelding has sluiced up in two races in recent days and can add a third here despite his 14lb penalty. Midnight Walk has been put up by 10lb for his easy success and may still be competitive, but he concedes more than a stone to his chief rival. Blue April looks best of the remainder.
- Too Many Diamonds
- Midnight Walk
- Blue April
Prize Money
1st: £2,599.002nd: £763.003rd: £382.004th: £191.00
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