14:50 Bangor

Saturday 19 May 2018

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Wrexham Lager Export Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 3m 55.10s

Viserion^b1³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 121| D

10/1

In and out performer these days, penultimate run at Carlisle over this trip when second would have him holding clear claims, not as good since at Cheltenham. First-time blinkers added now.

Form: 614620-

Phobiaphiliac^h⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 118

12/1

Well treated judged on his form for Nicky Henderson but hard to fancy judged on his last six efforts for this handler.

Form: PP/462P-

Innocent Touch¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 117

3/1

Fair winner on the Flat, could do little more than chase home well-handicapped winner at Warwick over 2m on debut for this yard. Up only 2lb here and should throw his hat in the ring.

Form: 14/0-2

Equus Millar^h¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 116

5/1

Not many miles on the clock and got on the board at the second time of asking in handicaps at Ludlow over just shy of 2m earlier this month. Nudged up 8lb for that but likely can take the strain.

Form: F440-1

Cougar Kid^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 112

25/1

Won at Hereford in January (2m3½f, soft) but has displayed his inconsistency in two runs since. Will handle this better surface with no problems but a matter of turning up in the right mood, it seems.

Form: 135145-

Buonarotti Boy^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Burke| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 112

16/1

Didn't run badly in a big-field handicap at Punchestown last month on first hurdles start for this trainer. Just 1-15 over timber and, from 1lb higher, doesn't appear especially well handicapped here.

Form: 20/5637-

Percy Street^b⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 112

4/1

Sir Percy gelding was decent on the Flat (rated 98) but hasn't really been threatening to replicate that over timber so far. Dropping in the ratings, can just about be passed over again.

Form: 3/64804-

Atlantic Storm^p1,t¹¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 104| CD

11/4

Successful on C&D handicap debut last spring but underwhelming efforts thereafter. Latest effort at Haydock was an improvement and this ground ought to help with new headgear added.

Form: 4/6F857-

Richard Strauss¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 105

33/1

Lightly-raced maiden over hurdles, has not been at best recently on the Flat and needs improved effort back over timber to hold designs on this prize.

Form: 37654-

Forecasts

Atlantic Storm (11/4), Innocent Touch (3/1), Percy Street (4/1), Equus Millar (5/1), Viserion (10/1), Phobiaphiliac (12/1), Buonarotti Boy (16/1), Cougar Kid (25/1), Richard Strauss (33/1)

INNOCENT TOUCH ran into a well-handicapped rival last time out at Warwick on first start for Henry Daly and did as well as could have been asked in finishing second. A 2lb increase for that effort looks fair and he can take this. Equus Millar remains lightly-raced over timber and recorded a nice Ludlow success last time, he'll be in the firing line once more it seems despite an 8lb rise. Atlantic Storm should benefit from better ground on if forecast conditions hold while Viserion is capable if in the mood.