16:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Saturday 22 April 2023

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3017:05

Stella Artois Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:07 | Winning time: 4m 48.91s

On Springs^v⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 121| D

12/1

Not entirely straightforward but thrived last summer, winning 4 times. Failed to complete in 3 of first 4 starts returning from a break but cashed in on a very weak race at Doncaster in February. Visor back on and not an obvious follow-up contender.

Form: 1PP4U1

Taste The Fear^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 120| D

7/1

Fairly useful winning hurdler who came good at the fifth time of asking over fences when shading a tight finish at Doncaster in January. Sound efforts both starts since and likely to give it another good go if coping with drop in trip.

Form: 323132

Yggdrasil^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 119| CD

4/1

Fair maiden hurdler who improved for switch to chasing last season, gaining third success at Uttoxeter. Not been in same form this term, though latest second in novice hurdle was a step back in the right direction.

Form: 1-36P22

Zestful Hope³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 119| D

5/1

Won a pair of handicap hurdles at Hereford this winter but raised 9 lb for latest success and finished well held at Ascot subsequently. Good start over fences when third at Ludlow, albeit he did hang badly late on.

Form: 614183

The King Of May¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 118| D

14/1

Fairly useful chaser who returned to form, refitted with cheekpieces, when second of 5 in handicap chase at Market Rasen (19.2f) in March. Carlisle race 10 days later may have come too soon given he was well held.

Form: 2F5627

Heartbreak Kid^b⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117

14/1

Scored twice over 2m last term and ran right up to best when second on reappearance at Sandown. Little to shout about since and hopes rest on this marked step up in distance.

Form: 64-2733

Blue Hawaii^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: R T Dunne| T: T Collier| OR: 113

6/1

Showed benefit of a Flat spin when opening chase account at Sedgefield (19.3f) a month ago, leading under pressure between last 2 and clear run-in. 6 lb higher now but unlikely she's reached her limit in this sphere.

Form: 72-2921

Reserve Tank⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 112| D

6/1

Inconsistent sort who is winless since 2019. Failed miserably to back up his Chepstow run at Taunton latest and don't need many excuses to look elsewhere.

Form: 3-3PP47

Allo Allo²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 110| D

9/2

Won maiden/handicap hurdles at up to 23f at Fakenham this term and shaped well on chasing debut having been in front from halfway in a well-run affair when runner-up at Carlisle (20f) in February. Unseated rider mid-race at Ascot so well worth another chance.

Form: 51412U

Non-Runners

Ubetya³⁴

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: Jedd O'Keeffe J: Emma Smith-Chaston

Lady Of The Night³²

Weight: 11-6| Age: 10

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: David Bass

Forecasts

Yggdrasil (4/1), Allo Allo (9/2), Zestful Hope (5/1), Reserve Tank (6/1), Blue Hawaii (6/1), Taste The Fear (7/1), Ubetya (10/1), On Springs (12/1), Lady Of The Night (12/1), Heartbreak Kid (14/1), The King Of May (14/1)

A 6 lb rise for BLUE HAWAII's clear-cut success at Southwell a month ago looks perfectly fair and, on this, just her fifth start over fences, there may well be more to come. Yggdrasil could be a factor back over the larger obstacles, while Allo Allo may well get back on track following an unseat latest.