18:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Monday 21 August 2023

All16:3017:0017:3018:0518:3519:0519:3520:05

Becks Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 18:36 | Winning time: 3m 57.90s

Stonific^p,t¹⁸⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: G Hanmer| OR: 110| D

10/1

Latest hurdles success was in the Summer Handicap at Market Rasen for David O'Meara off 12 lb higher in July 2021. Hasn't really built on an encouraging start for new yard after a year off this term, blinkers not doing much for him at Ludlow in February.

Form: 13/5647-

Eagle's Realm^t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Max Kendrick| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 105

10/1

Dual winner at Stratford last summer. Has made a good start for his new yard, second of 9 in handicap hurdle over C&D (good) 17 days ago. Ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 8/116-42

McGowan's Pass^p¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 104

9/1

It's now seventeen runs since last win in 2020 but this veteran posted a creditable second of 7 in handicap hurdle (5/1) at Perth (16.2f, good to soft) 19 days ago. Not discounted.

Form: 423-232

Allbetsoff²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 103| BF

4/1

Arrives better than ever, scoring at Southwell before recording an excellent third there (15.8f, good) 27 days ago. Player off the same mark.

Form: P3-6143

Allibaba¹⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 98

80/1

Fair form when placed both starts in bumpers for Willie Mullins but well held over hurdles so far. Needs to step forward now going into handicaps after six months off.

Form: 2368P8-

Zamond¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 97| BF| D

6/1

Consistent sort who wasn't disgraced when third of 9 in handicap hurdle at this C&D (good) 17 days ago. Considered off an easing mark.

Form: U52-763

Melnik^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 92

20/1

Modest ex-Irish maiden. Only sixth of 8 on his yard debut in handicap hurdle at Worcester (16f, good) 20 days ago. Needs to step forward.

Form: 00060-6

Choirmaster^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 90

5/1

Fairly useful on Flat and in good nick in this sphere since undergoing a wind op, close up when unseated rider 2 out in handicap at Worcester (16f, good, 9/2) 20 days ago. Should give a good account.

Form: 95-223U

Max Of Stars²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 103| D

2/1

Has taken really well to hurdling and made it 2-3 in 7-runner juvenile hurdle at Newton Abbot (16.8f, good to soft) 29 days ago, always holding on. Has to be taken seriously now handicapping off a lenient mark.

Form: 211

Non-Runners

Calum Gilhooley²⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: D Thompson J: Joshua Thompson

Forecasts

Max Of Stars (2/1), Allbetsoff (4/1), Choirmaster (5/1), Zamond (6/1), McGowan's Pass (9/1), Eagle's Realm (10/1), Stonific (10/1), Melnik (20/1), Calum Gilhooley (50/1), Allibaba (80/1)

MAX OF STARS hasn't looked back since sent hurdling and is fancied to make it 3-4 now going into handicaps off a lenient opening mark. Allbetsoff is in great nick too though so should ensure Ollie Pears' filly doesn't have things all her own way, with Eagle's Realm and Choirmaster in the mix too.