14:40 Bangor-on-Dee
Friday 13 December 2024
All12:2513:0013:3513:3514:0514:4015:15
Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 3  |  2m 7f 32y  |  Soft (Heavy in places)  |  9 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:40Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 6m 9.44s
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Gone from strength-to-strength in handicaps this year, bringing up the 5-timer in good style at after 6 months off at Carlisle (20f) in October. Lost little caste in defeat when third in big field at Cheltenham (21f) since and he looks sure to go well again.
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Progressive over hurdles when stepped up to around 3m, needing no more than hands-and-heels riding when opening his account at Ffos Las (23.9f) in April. Underfoot conditions will hold no fears and no surprise to see him do better again this campaign.
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Successful on sole outing in points and made the most of a good opportunity when landing a Hereford maiden (19.7f) in March. Followed up on handicap debut back there the following month and possibly needed the run on his reappearance at Newton Abbot.
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Wide-margin success at Warwick (26f, heavy) in March did his mark no favours but ran creditably after 7 months off when third at Newton Abbot (21.5f) in October. Struggled in stronger company at Newbury (24.2f) latest but assessor has eased his grip a little ahead of this.
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Dual hurdles winner. Very lightly raced in recent seasons but stepped up plenty on comeback effort when fourth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (24f, good) 27 days ago. Operating from a potentially very lenient mark and he's one to bear in mind.
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Hurdles winner at the start of the year and also opened account on the Flat in 2m Catterick handicap in October. Slipped up home turn back over hurdles at that venue 3 weeks ago and whilst he's still lightly raced in this sphere, this is tougher.
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3-time winner over hurdles for Rebecca Menzies, latterly at Kelso (22.7f) 2 years ago. Out of sorts last season but slipped a long way in weights as a result and resumed for new yard with an encouraging third in a C&D handicap 45 days ago. Interesting if able to build on that effort.
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Chased home an upwardly mobile sort on return at Worcester (20f, heavy) in October and duly stepped forward when opening his account from the front at Uttoxeter (20f) last month, drawing clear run-in. Good chance there's even better to come.
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Multiple point winner and second in a hunter chase at Down Royal (19.5f) in March. Changed hands for £20,000 and has since posted encouraging efforts in maiden hurdles over 2¾m/2½m at Ffos Las, leaving the impression that he'll be suited by this stiffer test on handicap bow.
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Forecasts
Plaisir Des Flos (11/4), Thanksforthehelp (10/3), Strackan (11/2), Schalke (6/1), Mahland (8/1), El Granjero (10/1), Astronomic View (14/1), Neo King (22/1), Captain Potter (33/1)
A warm looking race of its type with a chance taken on 9-y-o SCHALKE. He shaped most encouragingly having tumbled in the weights when third in a C&D handicap on return/yard debut 45 days ago and conditions here will hold no fears. Thanksforthehelp for David Pipe, prolific-scorer Plaisir des Flos and Strackan are just a trio of others to consider.
- Schalke6/1
- Thanksforthehelp10/3
- Plaisir Des Flos11/4
Prize Money
1st: £9,365.002nd: £4,306.003rd: £2,153.004th: £1,076.005th: £538.006th: £268.00
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