16:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Saturday 23 March 2024

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

Broxton Gates Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 6m 23.88s

Sea Village¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: O Signy| OR: 97

11/2

Remains winless following 7 attempts in this sphere but his recent third in the big-field Hereford handicap (25.5f, soft) won by Fantomas was a decent effort. 1 lb lower now and he's needs considering.

Form: 33-PP03

Rostello^b,t⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Cillin Leonard⁽³⁾| T: R & J & J Insole| OR: 97| D

18/1

Looked awkward when resuming winning ways over fences at Hexham in November and underwhelmed with his finishing effort at Southwell next time. Down the field at Sedgefield since and he's opposable back in this sphere (0-11 over hurdles).

Form: 246148

Iron D'ex^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 97

9/4

Fair maiden hurdler who was fitted with first-time cheekpieces when a good second of 7 in handicap at Hereford (19.7f, soft) last month. However, didn't appear to get home upped to 21.7f at the same course next time, so this further increase in trip has to be a concern.

Form: 7-20625

Jalisco Star^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: L Horsfall| OR: 92

11/1

Showed a bit in her qualifying runs but she was put firmly in her place when a well-held third on handicap debut at Huntingdon (25f, heavy) earlier this month.

Form: 6-85533

Tara Cove^t⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 90

13/2

Winning pointer who has yet to trouble the judge under Rules and he was pulled up tried over fences at Leicester (22.7f, soft) last time.

Form: 1-9645P

Fantomas^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 87

7/2

Chase winner who finally got his head in front in this sphere at Hereford (25.5f, soft) a fortnight ago. 6 lb rise for that game success demands more but should be in the mix provided his jumping passes the test.

Form: 664221

Mistymal³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 82

5/1

Irish point winner who posted his best effort on his handicap debut when second of 8 at Southwell (20.4f, soft) in January. In nothing like the same form at Fakenham since and needs to get back on track.

Form: 3P6025

Tis But A Scratch^p1¹⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 71

33/1

Essentially a poor maiden and he was pulled up when last seen at Ludlow in December.

Form: P44-86P

Forecasts

Iron D'ex (9/4), Fantomas (7/2), Mistymal (5/1), Sea Village (11/2), Tara Cove (13/2), Jalisco Star (11/1), Rostello (18/1), Tis But A Scratch (33/1)

SEA VILLAGE finished a fair way adrift of Fantomas at Hereford but now meets that rival on 7 lb better terms and he is taken to turn the tables on that rival here. Mistymal is third choice, albeit more owing to a process of elimination rather than a vote of confidence.