19:40 Bangor

Monday 20 August 2018

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10

Sportingbet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:41 | Winning time: 5m 35.2s

Silk Run¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: T Lacey| OR: 110| C

15/8

Took a while to get off the mark over hurdles finally doing so at the 9th attempt over a shorter distance (but up in trip from former outings) here last time. Beaten in three previous handicaps and now tried over further off a career-high mark.

Form: 4-23F51

Stay In Touch^p⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 109

10/1

One of two runners for a yard who do well here he's shown up well enough in maiden/novice events over hurdles. Now tried over his longest distance yet but looks consistent rather than progressive; 3lb lower than last try in handicaps.

Form: 272-334

Danceintothelight^t¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 107

8/1

Out-and-out pace setter who would be dangerous from the front if he was in creating a better vibe at the moment (appears in a lull). Has slipped below his last winning mark by 2lb and can't be totally ruled out of this.

Form: 45-4453

Vive Le Roi²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: James Nixon⁽⁷⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 105| C

3/1

Course win came in a novice event over two years ago when with his former yard and he's without a win since. His last three starts have indicated he still retains some ability and this trip may suit having looked as though he needs further of late.

Form: 8F-0532

Chosen Tribe^t1⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr T A McClorey⁽⁷⁾| T: Julia Saunders| OR: 105

16/1

Makes his handicap debut after finishing 2nd in three maiden point-to-points this spring. Mark doesn't look too harsh considering he chased home a 126 rated winner when last seen under Rules.

Form: 62/2-P22

Gold Chain^p⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: L P Aspell| T: C Ellam| OR: 105

50/1

Temperamental mare who is capable on her day although those days are getting fewer and fewer now. Shown very little for this yard so far on the Flat and over hurdles and given her profile can't be trusted in this.

Form: 3436P-7

Mullaghboy^h,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 104

7/2

Twice a winner at an even tighter left-handed circuit (Fakenham) last year over hurdles and fences he returned to form last time over C&D. Lost out to a stronger stayer who has won again since and only raised 2lb for that effort; leading player.

Form: F14-482

Cruachan^p¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L B Normile| OR: 92

28/1

Successful off this mark at Perth over 2m4f (heavy) last September his three ensuing starts have all left question marks. May have needed the run last time but more to do here and not one to have much confidence in.

Form: 6/P104-8

Forecasts

Silk Run (15/8), Vive Le Roi (3/1), Mullaghboy (7/2), Danceintothelight (8/1), Stay In Touch (10/1), Chosen Tribe (16/1), Cruachan (28/1), Gold Chain (50/1)

Given the consequent form of the conqueror of MULLAGHBOY last time over C&D he’s the suggestion in this complex handicap to gain some compensation for that defeat having only been handed a 2lb rise. The mare Silk Run will be popular with many but it took her an age to get off the mark and though she did so by a 10L margin that was in a much weaker race and she needs to improve again off a career-high mark. Danceintothelight will be dangerous if he regains his form and is allowed a soft lead while Vive Le Roi has shown he still has enough ability to win a race at this level. Chosen Tribe is the dark horse of the race returning from the point-to-point field off a competitive mark.