16:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Friday 11 February 2022

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Ultimate Cheltenham Festival Guide On attheraces.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 6m 2.19s

Hooky Street³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Benjamin Poste| T: R Dickin| OR: 108

22/1

Third on bumper debut in October and fourth in a couple of hurdles at up to 21f since. Unexposed now stepping up in trip for handicap debut.

Form: FF-344

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Folks On The Hill^t1³⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 108

40/1

Displayed ability in a bumper/3 hurdles but has been off for a year ahead of this handicap debut with a tongue tie added. Betting perhaps best guide to expectations.

Form: 0/R69-

Tim Pat²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 106

3/1

Caught the eye in maiden/novice hurdles and made an encouraging start in handicaps when second to an improver at Wetherby (3m, soft) 4 weeks ago. Form boosted by third winning next time. Big player.

Form: P95322

Greenrock Abbey³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Daire James McConville⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 105

11/2

Below-form fourth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Hereford (19.5f) 38 days ago. Up in trip with a bit more needed if he's to open his account.

Form: FF7-344

Glance From Clover³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 104

12/1

Upped his game when second of 12 in Hereford handicap last March but well below that level in his 2 outings since. Bounce back needed.

Form: 4P02-59

Ballybeen³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 100| BF

3/1

Placed in points and has shown fair form on all 3 qualifying runs over hurdles at up to 19.5f. Possible improver now handicapping over further. Market support could prove sigfnificant.

Form: 36F-554

Dancing Dani³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 100

80/1

Winning pointer who exceeded market expectations when runner-up from the front on Newton Abbot hurdle debut last May. Hasn't reproduced that since and opening handicap mark looks tough.

Form: 31-2403

High Grounds^t⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Callum Bewley| T: R Potter| OR: 90| BF| D

9/1

Fairly useful Flat winner who left previous hurdle form behind when scoring in first-time tongue strap at Market Rasen in December. Stopped as if amiss at Wetherby since. Claims on Market Rasen run.

Form: 800-719

Instant De Bonheur²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 107

28/1

Bit better with each start but she will need that trend to continue if he's to make her presence felt from what looks a tough opening handicap mark. Up in trip.

Form: 755

Money Spinner^h³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 90

8/1

Not competitive in maiden/novice hurdles but in good hands and could prove a different proposition now handicapping over further.

Form: 767

Loch Garman Aris^p³⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-4| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 86| C

8/1

Came good with pair of 3m chase wins here in the mud last May. Might have needed first outing since then when pulled up at Hereford last month. Plcaed in hurdle here before.

Form: 462-11P

Non-Runners

Fevertre⁵⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: Nicky Martin J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Tim Pat (3/1), Ballybeen (3/1), Greenrock Abbey (11/2), Money Spinner (8/1), Loch Garman Aris (8/1), Fevertre (8/1), High Grounds (9/1), Glance From Clover (12/1), Hooky Street (22/1), Instant De Bonheur (28/1), Folks On The Hill (40/1), Dancing Dani (80/1)

TIM PAT had the form of his Wetherby second franked by the third winning next time and is fancied to go one better off the same mark. Something can't have been right with High Grounds at Wetherby over Christmas (travelled well but stopped quickly) and he could provide the main threat if bouncing back to the level of his previous Market Rasen win. Handicap-newcomer Ballybeen may prove best of rest.