14:50 Bangor

Tuesday 8 January 2019

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

Stella Artois 4% Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 5m 42.20s

Gardiners Hill^t⁶^{(ex 7)}

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: D A Rees| OR: 104

3/1

On a fair run of late winning three of his last five starts (first two over fences) and returning to winning form last time over hurdles; found for pressure. That test (3m2f) looked barely enough and it remains to be seen if he's quick enough here.

Form: 211351

Viserion^p⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 109

16/1

Only runner on the card for the track's leading trainer (19% strike-rate here) although he'll do well to conjure a winner out of this one. Looks badly out of sorts despite a rapidly falling mark; only beat one home last time out at Wetherby.

Form: 20-7079

Moss On The Mill^b⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 108| D

25/1

Better known as a handicap chaser but his jumping has been letting him down in that sphere (fell last time) and he reverts to hurdles now. Off the same mark as last time and well handicapped if this return to smaller obstacles did advance his cause.

Form: P8-3P6F

Transpennine Star^p⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 108

3/1

Useful sort on the Flat (winner over 1m6f) he's started his hurdles career in consistent fashion (just one poor run on his CV; trip too short). Ran a sound race on his return from a break last time; cheekpieces (first time) in this sphere; player.

Form: 3332-83

Treasure Dillon³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 107

12/1

A winner in point-to-points he's looked a work in progress over hurdles so far being brought along with handicaps in mind. His runner-up slot last time was flattering and he could do with jumping more fluently but worth watching in the market.

Form: 1-842

Some Can Dance²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: P J Brennan| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 106

4/1

Looked poor over hurdles until switched to handicaps and has shown improved form in two attempts in this sphere. Not tackled anything like this trip though as yet and has to prove that he stays this far before he's a backable proposition.

Form: 5-45823

Paddys Runner^b1³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 104| C

9/1

Has yet to show any zip of late and appears to be just going through the motions despite falling rapidly in the weights. Dropped a further 4lb after his last run and now with blinkers replacing cheekpieces as the headgear of choice; comes with risks.

Form: 669-5P6

Iwilldoit³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 103

7/1

His bumper form is better than anything he's so far produced over hurdles although there has been some promise in his three starts over the smaller obstacles so far. Looks the sort to appreciate handicaps; he now steps up markedly in trip.

Form: 55-386

Danseur Du Large⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: P Gundry| OR: 101

40/1

Dual point-to-point winner (only out the first three once in that sphere) he probably needed the run when returning under Rules in November. Dropped 4lb for that run he's got something to prove at this level on the evidence of that run.

Form: 231U-1P

Classic Tune¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: L Heard| T: Miss C Dyson| OR: 101

25/1

Has offered little since winning off an 11lb higher mark in the spring of 2017 as a 66-1 chance at Uttoxeter over a half mile shorter trip than he'll face today. Well held on his latest start and hasn't done enough to make him of interest.

Form: 7P-P4P8

Forecasts

Transpennine Star (3/1), Gardiners Hill (3/1), Some Can Dance (4/1), Iwilldoit (7/1), Paddys Runner (9/1), Treasure Dillon (12/1), Viserion (16/1), Classic Tune (25/1), Moss On The Mill (25/1), Danseur Du Large (40/1)

There are a few interesting types in this not least the well backed Some Can Dance but he has yet to prove that he stays this trip against a few that are proven stayers. Gardiners Hill has been in fine form over fences and more recently winning over hurdles at Hereford appearing to need all the near 3m2f trip begging the question will he be quick enough around this sharper test. Both Iwilldoit and Treasure Dillon have been progressing steadily over hurdles and look as though they are worthy of respect in this company. TRANSPENNINE STAR ran a sound race on his return last time and that should have set him up for this especially equipped with cheekpieces now (ran well in them on the Flat).