13:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Saturday 23 March 2024

All13:3014:0014:3015:0515:4016:15

DragonBet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 7.26s

Jungle Jack^p³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 135| CD

9/2

Developed into a useful handicap hurdler last season, successful at Haydock and over C&D. Pulled up on his seasonal/chase debut at Wetherby in November, but bounced back (had a wind op) when narrowly denied over hurdles at Kelso (16.2f, soft) last month. Enters calculations.

Form: 2219-P2

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Cheddleton^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 133| C| D

16/1

Ran poorly on his 2 starts following his reappearance (over hurdles on second occasion), but with cheekpieces applied he returned to form when winning 4-runner handicap chase at Newcastle (20.1f, soft) a month ago. Task is now to back up his latest effort returned to hurdling.

Form: 32-44P1

West To The Bridge^t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 131| C| D

8/1

Better than ever when landing Sandown handicap last spring and good second at Uttoxeter (23.3f, good to soft) on return in October. Hasn't gone on from that effort in 3 starts since but he's now dropped below his last winning mark, so he's one to note back up in trip.

Form: 96-2F54

Willaston^p,t¹⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 130| D

28/1

Showed improved form last spring, winning back-to-back handicaps at Cheltenham (20.3f) in April and Haydock (24.3f) in May. However, his run of good form has been halted on his last 2 outings, well held back at Cheltenham in October. Others preferred after 5 months off.

Form: F21-140

Uncle Bert²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127| D

5/2

Made a winning handicap debut at Perth on his return but wasn't able to kick on from that performance on his next few starts. However, he got back on the up when forging clear for success at Wetherby (19.7f, heavy) 23 days ago. Can make his presence felt.

Form: 4F5P21

Banjaxed¹¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: L Fowler| OR: 123| D

9/1

Irish challenger who was a comfortable winner of a Perth maiden (20.2f, good) in May. Not in the same form both starts since, though, ninth of 20 at Fairyhouse (19.8f, soft) on her latest outing in December. Needs to find more.

Form: 25P-109

Llandinabo Lad¹¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: David Bass| T: T Symonds| OR: 117| C

6/1

Useful hurdler but not quite at the same level fences. Bumped into an improver when runner-up in handicap chase at Ludlow (20f, soft) in November, but well-beaten at Ascot last time. Needs to get back on track reverted to the smaller obstacles.

Form: 254-423

Pickanumber¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 115

7/2

Went the right way in maiden hurdles for Peter Croke in Ireland last summer and has continued his progress in 2 starts for his current yard, making it back-to-back wins when landing the odds in handicap at Lingfield (16f, heavy) 18 days ago. Not taken lightly back up in trip.

Form: 4-04211

Forecasts

Uncle Bert (5/2), Pickanumber (7/2), Jungle Jack (9/2), Llandinabo Lad (6/1), West To The Bridge (8/1), Banjaxed (9/1), Cheddleton (16/1), Willaston (28/1)

WEST TO THE BRIDGE hasn't built on his reappearance effort in his 3 subsequent outings, but with the return to this longer trip to suit, he can bounce back to winning ways with his yard going well. Pickanumber also arrives with his stable in good form and is respected in his hat-trick bid, with Jungle Jack also considered.