14:33 Bangor-on-Dee

Saturday 9 April 2022

All13:5514:3315:0815:4316:2216:52

Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:34 | Winning time: 4m 16.91s

Ecume Atlantique¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Houlihan| T: R Bandey| OR: 120

5/2

Fairly useful in France and despite having been pulled up on his last 3 starts for Emmanuel Clayeux, made a successful return from 15 months off at Wetherby 18 days ago. Nudged up 2 lb and sure to be in the mix again.

Form: 244PP-1

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Katpoli^b1,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 118

6/1

Scored twice over fences in 2019/20 but has been disappointing (made mistakes) since returning from a lengthy absence this season. Blinkers now tried and he continues to tumble in the weights with showing much sign of taking advantage.

Form: U-45P4F

Twotwothree^p1²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 115| CD

8/1

Ended 2020/21 campaign on a winning note at Wetherby and not disgraced on completed starts this season (over hurdles). Done for finishing speed as much as anything at Doncaster last month and cheekpieces now tried switched back over fences.

Form: 31-4F24

Cenotice^b,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 114

9/1

Opened chase account at Perth last July after 22 months off and has continued in decent nick, resuming winning ways at Newcastle before second at Ludlow. Found things too competitive at Carlisle last time but should make more of an impact down in grade.

Form: 641237

Costly Diamond^t⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: G Hanmer| OR: 113| D

7/2

Strong-travelling front-running chaser who was better than ever when scoring at Sedgefield in September. Faced a stiff task when finishing last of 4 in a listed event at Leicester in January but has to be taken seriously back in a handicap with Hughes booked.

Form: 532144

Instant Replay¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Oakley Brown⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 110

33/1

Bagged his fourth win at Sedgefield in September. Not at that level since, let down by his jumping on his last couple of starts so percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: U10353

Billingsley²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Jay Tidball⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 109

12/1

Returned to form when accounting for 5 rivals under this rider at Ffos Las (2m) in February. Rather disappointing after an 8 lb rise at Leicester last month and almost certainly found the race coming too soon 2 days later over this C&D. Work to do.

Form: 065144

Ar Mest^p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: David Noonan| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 107| BF

5/1

Exploits distinctly mixed for host of trainers this term but confirmed himself back in better heart when second for new yard at Newcastle in February. Similar form but outbattled by his sole rival back there 29 days ago and others look more well treated.

Form: 459222

Forecasts

Ecume Atlantique (5/2), Costly Diamond (7/2), Ar Mest (5/1), Katpoli (6/1), Twotwothree (8/1), Cenotice (9/1), Billingsley (12/1), Instant Replay (33/1)

The Gary Hanmer yard are enjoying somewhat of a purple patch at present and COSTLY DIAMOND gets the vote to continue her stable's run of good form with champion-elect Brian Hughes booked to ride. She gets the verdict over Ecume Atlantique, who made a successful return from 15 months off at Wetherby last month. Twotwothree is another not without hope.