18:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Saturday 18 May 2024

All15:5516:3017:0517:4018:1518:50

Bangor Supporting Mental Health Awareness Week Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:50 | Winning time: 4m 43.57s

Shandancer^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 99

9/2

Remains a maiden and looked rusty on first outing since leaving Amy Murphy after 7 months off when third at Plumpton (20.5f, good) last month, jumping none too fluently. Wouldn't be sure to build on that but does represent an in-form yard.

Form: 293373-

Trick Of The Tail^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 97

13/2

Modest maiden hurdler who had undergone a breathing operation during his 5-month break but never threatened to land a blow under a hands-and-heels ride at this course (16.7f, soft) 4 weeks ago. Back up in trip and plenty more required to open his account.

Form: 336475-

Marty Mcfly⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 92

7/2

Dead-heated in an Irish point and reached the frame in 2 bumpers for Patrick Neville in 2022/23. Hasn't set the world alight in 4 starts since switched to hurdles but has joined yard that does well with new recruits, and he could prove a different proposition after 3 months off.

Form: 43/7287-

Churchman¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 88

5/1

More encouraging signs in handicaps when fourth at Ludlow in November and went agonisingly close to shedding the maiden tag back there in February. Arguably would have benefited from a stronger gallop back at 2m given the way he's been shaping last time and heads back up in trip.

Form: 68424-3

Arabescato^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 88

17/2

Fairly useful at best on the Flat but below par in that sphere last year and hard to get too excited by his hurdle efforts, the addition of cheekpieces failing to bring about an upturn when again finishing well held at Fakenham (20f, good) last month. Headgear off.

Form: 4/446-

Westbrook Lad^h⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 84

11/1

Displayed more temperament than ability so far. Heads back up in trip for his handicap debut and needs to show plenty more.

Form: 75PP-

Regal And Royal⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 81

11/1

Looks to be being brought along gradually, ridden with an eye on the future on his qualifying run after 8 months off when tailed-off eighth at Newcastle (20.3f, heavy in February (treated for post-race heat stress). More needed now handicapping.

Form: P/548-

Pollyonesock^p1,t1¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 80

33/1

Limited form in bumpers/hurdles and low-key start for this yard on handicap bow at Ludlow. Unseated rider second on chase debut at Southwell last month and ran poorly back over timber at Warwick (21f, good to soft) since. Headgear/tongue tie on but easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 3/658U-P

Miss Ghillie¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex| OR: 79

9/1

Failed to complete both starts in points and was well held in 3 mares maiden hurdles. Wasn't seen to best effect making her handicap debut after 12 weeks off at Warwick (21f, good to soft) 12 days ago (finished with running left) so she's capable of better.

Form: F/B050-7

Karakoy^t1⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 70

16/1

Fair winner on the Flat for Harry & Roger Charlton and cost new connections 30,000 gns in October. No promise to be taken from efforts over hurdles so far, however, and is well out of the weights for his handicap debut. Tongue tie replaces the usual hood.

Form: 0786-

Non-Runners

Northern Rose¹¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: G Hanmer J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Marty Mcfly (7/2), Northern Rose (4/1), Shandancer (9/2), Churchman (5/1), Trick Of The Tail (13/2), Arabescato (17/2), Miss Ghillie (9/1), Regal And Royal (11/1), Westbrook Lad (11/1), Karakoy (16/1), Pollyonesock (33/1)

This step back in trip should be right up CHURCHMAN'S street, so he gets the vote to open his account having dropped to a career-low mark at the expense of Miss Ghillie, who remains unexposed and finished with running left on her handicap debut at Warwick recently. Stable switcher Marty McFly can edge out Shandancer for third spot.