14:10 Bangor

Friday 9 February 2018

All13:4014:1014:4515:2015:5016:2516:55

Hampton Veterinary Centre Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 8m 40.4s

Barton Gift^p²²

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: A Thornton| T: J L Spearing| OR: 121| CD

8/1

Has won the last two renewals of this in 2015 and 2017. Goes into this year's contest having pulled up in three of his last four outings, which does not heighten confidence, but he is now only 1lb higher than a year ago, so hard to rule out.

Form: 61P-4PP

Catching On^t⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 119| D

11/4

This sort of trip and testing ground are an ideal combination for this multiple soft/heavy ground winner. Goes into this 2lb higher than his most recent success at Warwick last year, but not in bad form and has each-way claims.

Form: 04P42U

Rigadin De Beauchene^b⁶³

Age: 13| Weight: 11-8| J: R T Dunne| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 115

7/1

Mudlark who has won several times beyond 3m2f, though not since December 2015. Certainly looks well handicapped on his old form, though recent efforts suggest that he doesn't retain that ability at this age and others preferred.

Form: 4686-3P

Millicent Silver^v¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 113| CD

4/1

Won over C&D (heavy) almost two years ago and was beaten just 5L from 10lb higher at the track last March. Comfortably held last time and has now dropped 5lb, so with 3lb claimed and a return to this track, she is of interest.

Form: 23PP-54

Whiskey Chaser^b1¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 113| C

6/1

Scored around here over 3m (soft) in 2016 and yet to win beyond that trip. Won on his reappearance at Haydock (2m7f, heavy) in December, but well beaten after 5lb rise on last two starts. Drops 1lb here and blinkers on, but stamina to prove.

Form: P22-156

Itstimeforapint^b1,t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 112

7/1

Stays 4m and won over that trip at Hexham on heavy ground in 2016 when 4lb lower. Has been unable to add to that, but was beaten only 1½L in last year's North Yorkshire National when 6ln higher and a revival would not surprise now in blinkers.

Form: 323P-6P

Zerachiel^p⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 111

8/1

Scored over 3m on good to soft at Exeter in a novices' handicap chase last March and although stamina unconvincing in pedigee, connections try him for a second time over an extreme trip here. Pulled up last time (3m6½f) and a bit to prove.

Form: 2551-2P

Boyfromnowhere^t⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: A Wintle| OR: 98

12/1

Last win under rules was over 3m3f (heavy) at Fontwell in 2013. Has since won a 4m point-to-point, so no stamina concerns. However, recent form is very much a concern and it takes a leap of faith to get involved with a wager.

Form: 1256-4B

Astigos²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss L Brooke⁽⁷⁾| T: Lady S Brooke| OR: 87

33/1

Yet to win beyond 2m5f and stamina for this sort of trip has to be a major concern. Was beaten 12½L from this mark two starts ago (3m, heavy) and tailed off last time, so from 6lb 'wrong' he is hard to fancy.

Form: P-69235

Forecasts

Catching On (11/4), Millicent Silver (4/1), Whiskey Chaser (6/1), Itstimeforapint (7/1), Rigadin De Beauchene (7/1), Zerachiel (8/1), Barton Gift (8/1), Boyfromnowhere (12/1), Astigos (33/1)

A back-to-form Barton Gift would surely make his presence felt in this line-up now just 1lb higher than his second win in the contest last year. However, recent form has not given much encouragement and so the market might prove our best guide to his chance on the day. Catching On should be involved but will need to find more than he has of late to be winning again and Millicent Silver may do better. Whiskey Chaser is a course winner, though his task is no easy one from this mark and especially over this far. Therefore, the suggestion is ITSTIMEFORAPINT, who stays really well, has conditions to suit and may be sparked back into form by blinkers. If so, he can take advantage of a handy mark.