15:55 Bangor

Wednesday 15 November 2017

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

Gaskells Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 6m 28.8s

Bardista⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Alex Ferguson⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling

33/1

Third in an Irish point-to-point but despite looking the part physically, has what can only be deemed a fairly ordinary pedigree. Pulled-up on his debut in an Exeter novice over shorter and looks likely to need time having weakened quickly.

Form: 3-P

Benechenko²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 113

11/8

Winning Irish point-to-pointer who made a winning debut for this yard in a Uttoxeter bumper last November (made running; showed good attitude). Failed to progress in bumpers but appeared to progress last time when runner-up at Wincanton; should progress.

Form: 11584-2

Everybody's Talkin^t1²⁰⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

9/2

Half-brother to hurdles/chase winner Duke Of Carabas with some winning relations on the dam's side also. Won a maiden point-to-point on his third attempt and bought to race out of this yard for £65,000 in June; one to note.

Form: 461-

Lord Bunnacurry^t1¹³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: M Mullineaux

150/1

Blinkers tried for the first-time last time out although they made very little difference to the form he has shown so far. Started at three-figure odds on his last three starts and now tongue-tied for first-time.

Form: 60-P0

Motueka²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White

9/4

Ran very green when made favourite for a Chepstow bumper a year ago (looked to have no idea off the bridle) and failed to progress in bumpers looking slightly quirky. Shaped better on hurdles debut after a break (let down by jumping) at Worcester finishing second to useful Landin.

Form: 443-2

Natter Jack Croak³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Miss R Curtis

16/1

A winner in an Irish point-to-point in April 2016 he showed a little ability on his bumper debut here before returning over hurdles a year later at Chepstow. Took a strong hold last time (2m) and possibly looks one for the longer term ; handicaps may beckon.

Form: 1/8-7

Shannon Bridge²²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

7/1

Makes his debut for a yard which can do very little wrong this season. Half-brother to four winners (including hurdle/chase winner Ballyvesey) having shown a little ability in two Irish point-to-point runs; best watched in market.

Form: 54-

Janes Boutique²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: J E Moore| T: T Symonds

66/1

Placed in point-to-points in Ireland her two Rules outing seven months apart have offered very little. Soon brushed aside on her hurdles debut at Ludlow in October having been well placed throughout.

Form: 32/0-5

Forecasts

Benechenko (11/8), Motueka (9/4), Everybody's Talkin (9/2), Shannon Bridge (7/1), Natter Jack Croak (16/1), Bardista (33/1), Janes Boutique (66/1), Lord Bunnacurry (150/1)

Not a huge amount of quality in this staying maiden that closes the card with Motueka setting the standard on his second last time out having previously looked a little quirky in bumpers although it was hard to crab his initial hurdles effort. The Fegal O’Brien yard are going well at the moment though and their BENECHENKO appreciated the longer trip when second to a potentially smart one (White Moon) at Wincanton last time. Shannon Bridge and Everbody’s Talkin will be interesting to note on their debuts under Rules with both yards capable of landing a debut winner.