19:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Monday 15 August 2022

All17:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:15

IML Marine Management Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:41 | Winning time: 3m 58.73s

Elham Valley^b,t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 116| BF

13/2

Well suited by a good pace to aim at when running out a clear-cut winner at Warwick (2m) in May. Test of speed not ideal at Huntingdon next time, so that can run can be excused, but subsequent poor effort on the Flat is not so easy to forgive.

Form: 6364-13

State Crown^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr Lewis Gordon⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 113| D

9/1

Looked better than ever when resuming winning ways over 16.8f at Newton Abbot (good to soft) on penultimate start. May have found 18.5f too much of a test at the same course next time and each-way chance back down in trip here.

Form: 455-313

Hypnotik^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 112

33/1

Bumper/hurdle winner in France, but hasn't shown enough in two starts for present connections to suggest that he'll be up to winning this, for all that the handicapper has been quick to show mercy.

Form: 145P-54

Red Vision¹¹⁴

11/8

Winner of novices over this C&D and at Sedgefield in March. Wasn't disgraced on handicap debut off this mark at Sandown (2m, good), but subsequent wind op will need to help spark some improvement if he's to take this.

Form: 273115-

Lignou^p⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 108

11/1

Twice successful over hurdles for Noel Meade in Ireland and, having dropped in the weights, ran best race for current yard when third at Southwell (20.4f) in March. Little impact in three starts since (latest on the Flat), though, and now has a bit to prove.

Form: 78530-4

Rafiki²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 109

17/2

Fairly useful on Flat and made a winning hurdles debut at Stratford (16.3f, good) in June. Chased home a potentially useful mare in a three-runner novice over the same C&D since and very much of interest on handicap bow in this sphere.

Form: 12

Long Call¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: A W Carroll| OR: 104| CD

4/1

Snapped a long losing run in this sphere over C&D recently, powering clear approaching the final flight and winning with any amount in hand. 12 lb higher mark to contend with, but definite chance if able to back that effort up.

Form: 25-0651

Karannelle^h,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: D A Rees| OR: 99| D

14/1

In fine form last month, runner-up at Worcester prior to bagging handicaps at Newton Abbot and Market Rasen. Never looked like completing the hat-trick off this revised mark last time, though, and the handicapper may now be in charge.

Form: 232113

Forecasts

Red Vision (11/8), Long Call (4/1), Elham Valley (13/2), Rafiki (17/2), State Crown (9/1), Lignou (11/1), Karannelle (14/1), Hypnotik (33/1)

Preference is for the 4-y-o RAFIKI, who makes his handicap debut in this sphere off what looks a very fair opening mark and could have more to offer as a hurdler. If Long Call reproduces something akin to his recent facile C&D success he will be a big threat, despite going up 12 lb, while State Crown makes each-way appeal.