13:10 Bangor

Tuesday 8 January 2019

All13:1013:4014:1514:5015:2515:55

Budweiser Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 5m 20.2s

Gone Platinum^t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: D A Rees| OR: 107

25/1

Thoroughly exposed sort who is usually seen at Ffos Las and won his only chase there in May 2018. That win came off a 6lb lower mark though and he looks the sort who will always be vulnerable to an unexposed sort in the field.

Form: 602P55

Againn Dul Aghaidh¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: A E Jones| OR: 103| D

66/1

Record in point-to-points reads 5-11 but he's yet to show anything like that sort of form over fences under Rules. Mark is reducing but still looks harshly treated by the handicapper and will need help before he's of interest.

Form: 42-1466

Johnny Ocean²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 102

20/1

Winner of his only point-to-point by 8L he finally showed some promise over hurdles on his third/fourth runs after being pulled up on his first two starts. The switch to chasing may see him take a step forward and show some progress.

Form: 1/PP-48

Cracking Destiny⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 101

11/4

30L winner of his only point-to-point he's been something of a slow burner over hurdles but shaped far better on his handicap debut last time (trip too testing). Now goes over fences for the first time; one to be interested in given his background.

Form: 946-573

Urbanist²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 99| BF

7/4

Punchestown handicap hurdle winner (2m, heavy) who now has his second run since wind surgery for his new yard. Predictably strong in the market in stable/GB debut he shaped well in a race not run to suit and now makes his chasing debut off same mark.

Form: 242-442

Overtheedge²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: J Kington| T: S G West| OR: 93

50/1

Only modest over hurdles his last win came back in early 2016 and back from a break his latest two hurdles runs have failed to inspire. Is a point-to-point winner but has failed to complete in two Rules runs over fences.

Form: 63P4-0P

Mountain Chimes⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: L Heard| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 91

16/1

Stable operating at a decent level at the moment but they will be doing well to get this one to win; looked a temperamental sort last time out when running out last time. Needs to improve on anything he done so far and others appeal more.

Form: 78343U

Picknick Park^p1¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 87

33/1

Makes his chasing debut with the cheekpieces going on for the first time after running poorly last time having shown a little promise on his previous run. Only lightly raced in recent times but is still to win a race and would be a surprise winner.

Form: F46-640

Snow Rescue^t⁴³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: R T Dunne| T: T R Gretton| OR: 86

66/1

Absent for a while now and for the most part showed very little over hurdles. Finished well held on his chase debut when last seen and returns now off a 7lb lower mark although he would need to show more to get involved; likely to need this.

Form: 7658/05-

Shininstar¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Miss L Brooke⁽⁷⁾| T: J Groucott| OR: 84| D

12/1

Took an age to get off the mark but finally did so under a change of tactics (positively ridden) when scoring at Ludlow off a lowly mark. Failed last time (not ridden the same way); would benefit from a return to front-running.

Form: 353314

Bringewood Blue²⁰⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-7| J: James Best| T: J L Needham| OR: 84

150/1

Very-lightly raced for one of her age but has shown very little under Rules so far over hurdles. Pulled up last time returning from over two years off on handicap debut she now makes her chase debut; little appeal.

Form: 56P/P

Hands Of Stone²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 83

16/1

Always looked the sort who could win over fences and has been brought along with care in this sphere. His jumping has left a little to be desired though and he ran no sort of race last time over C&D when given a test that he needs.

Form: 64-634P

Scartare³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 83| BF

7/1

Yet to win a race and now makes his debut over fences having undergone a wind op prior to his last run in a handicap hurdle. Ran creditably there and more solid than most at this level he may be able to make the places off this lowly mark.

Form: 245-443

Is Love Alive^b,t¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-1| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: A Wintle| OR: 78| D

10/1

A sliding/reduced mark and positive tactics (along with first-time blinkers) resulted in a return to form last time with a win at Huntingdon over 3m. Back in trip here and off a 4lb higher mark he's not sure to repeat that run in a stronger contest.

Form: 35/P5-P1

Non-Runners

Goodthyneaway³⁸

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Urbanist (7/4), Cracking Destiny (11/4), Scartare (7/1), Is Love Alive (10/1), Goodthyneaway (11/1), Shininstar (12/1), Mountain Chimes (16/1), Hands Of Stone (16/1), Johnny Ocean (20/1), Gone Platinum (25/1), Picknick Park (33/1), Overtheedge (50/1), Againn Dul Aghaidh (66/1), Snow Rescue (66/1), Bringewood Blue (150/1)

This may not be as competitive as the numbers suggest with CRACKING DESTINY a chase debutant taken to build on his very promising run last time out in a handicap hurdle. This looks to be more his sphere based on his impressive point-to-point win and he should be able to hold off another improving type in Urbanist. The race wasn’t really run to suit him last time out and the switch to fences should also be in his favour. Johnny Ocean is another making his chasing bow who may be suited better by this sphere. Shininstar and Is Love Alive both have handicap form to their names but will need to improve on past performances to take a hand.