13:45 Bangor

Wednesday 15 November 2017

All12:4013:1013:4514:2014:5015:2015:55

Anne Duchess Of Westminster Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:46 | Winning time: 6m 17.5s

Bigbadjohn³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: N D Fehily| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 144| D

13/2

Has proved rather in-and-out over fences with some good performances, most notably when winning the Reynoldstown at Ascot but has struggled in double-figure fields. Won't face that problem but failed to complete last time; bit to prove at present.

Form: 12S1P-U

Battle Of Shiloh²⁰⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 139| D

9/2

Irish point-to-point winner who was in cracking form throughout 2016 over hurdles and fences winning his first four starts under Rules. Faced a tough task when last seen in the Scottish Grand National (off 3lb higher) but still lightly raced back from a break.

Form: 1/111F0-

Dusky Lark^t²⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 139

33/1

Previously with Colin Tizzard and showed some useful form for him before winning first time up for this yard early in the year off 7lb lower at Wincanton. Shaped well next time at Ludlow although probably found the trip (3m) too testing and could be the same story here.

Form: 2/22214-

Actinpieces²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Gina Andrews⁽³⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 139| D

5/1

In good form for this yard last season (won twice over fences) and opened her account this season last time out showing her usual good attitude to win from off the pace. Likely to stay further than this and goes well for this rider; career high mark now though.

Form: P213F-1

Potters Legend^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: L Wadham| OR: 138| C| D

9/4

Won his first two races over fences (one here over 2m4f) but did make some errors in doing so. Hasn't won again since those initial victories with mistakes holding him back although he does look as though he has potential in staying handicaps.

Form: 24244-7

Minellacelebration¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 135| D

12/1

Tough and hardy sort who scored twice in the spring showing plenty for pressure each time coupled with a good attitude. Has shaped well enough on his return from a break, although it may well be that the handicapper has him in his grasp now.

Form: 1-12B58

Straidnahanna²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 135| D

25/1

Always shows his best at Catterick (3/3 there) and showed his best when taking the North Yorkshire National (3m6f) there in January under a forcing ride from today's pilot. Faced some tough tests after and needed the run on return; hard to catch right but dangerous with an easy lead.

Form: 81P0P-6

Sir Mangan³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| D

9/2

Not seen out over fences since April 2015 but has won over further in this sphere albeit off a much lower mark. With a different yard now and this will be his first chase start for them after showing that he still has plenty of ability over hurdles; travels well.

Form: 125/1-52

Forecasts

Potters Legend (9/4), Sir Mangan (9/2), Battle Of Shiloh (9/2), Actinpieces (5/1), Bigbadjohn (13/2), Minellacelebration (12/1), Straidnahanna (25/1), Dusky Lark (33/1)

A cracking contest full of possibilities and it’s not easy to rule out any of the octet; Battle Of Shiloh should find this easier than his last start and being lightly-raced still looks to have some improvement left in him but he may need this. Actinpieces is one who stays well and could outstay these although she may have to work to keep in touch early on. Straidnahanna will appreciate this test and would look dangerous with an easy lead while Potter’s Legend is respected. SIR MANGAN makes his first start over fences for some time but he won over staying trips before over the larger obstacles and given how well he travelled on his recent return, could get back to winning ways.