15:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Friday 7 February 2025

All13:1213:4214:1214:4215:1515:5016:25

RW Hough & Son Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 16.6s

El Jefe^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Ben Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 110| D

28/1

Enjoyed a fine 2023/24, gaining a fifth victory at Aintree in April. Yet to fire in a couple of runs this term though, last of 7 at Ayr 18 days ago. Needs a big step forward.

Form: 1271-87

The Grafter^h,t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 108WS

5/2

Low-mileage sort who posted a good second of 5 in handicap hurdle at Haydock (15.6f, soft) 39 days ago, travelling best. Since had a wind op and a likely player once more.

Form: 54-3422

Feel The Pinch^t¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 107| CD

12/1

3-time C&D winner who hinted at a revival when fourth of 10 to The Grey Man in handicap hurdle at Leicester (15.5f, heavy, 40/1) 17 days ago. Needs considering off a 4 lb lower mark.

Form: 5546F4

New Found Fame^b1¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Liam Harrison| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 106| BF| C

6/1

Scored over hurdles here in December but came in a below-form fourth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (19.9f, soft) 13 days ago. Blinkers go on with a bit to prove.

Form: 4-P4214

The Grey Man¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: H Dickin| OR: 105

16/5

Lightly-raced sort who made a winning handicap debut at Leicester (15.5f, heavy) 17 days ago, always holding on. Up 4 lb but this strong-travelling sort is expected to be bang there.

Form: 5223-71

Clinton Lane⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Theo Gillard| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 104

25/1

Scored at Plumpton in October and still close up when fell 4 out in handicap hurdle at Fakenham (16f, good to soft) 47 days ago. Can't be discounted.

Form: P-5P13F

Risk D'Argent⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Murray Dodd⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 104

13/2

Fourteen runs since his last win in 2021 but not discredited after 9 months off when third of 5 in handicap hurdle over C&D (heavy) 56 days ago. Not taken lightly with that run under his belt.

Form: 7/245P-3

The Secret Pearl^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Hales| OR: 102

20/1

Low-mileage sort who wasn't disgraced when fifth of 16 in novice hurdle at Warwick (21f, soft) 38 days ago. Down in trip but much respected on her handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 450-335

Imperial Storm²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr James Shaw⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 102

100/1

Bumper/hurdles winner for Fergal O'Brien but has struggled since returning from an absence for his new yard.

Form: 13/P060

Falco Des Pins²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 100

14/1

Ex-French performer who was steadily progressive last season, second in juvenile hurdle at Angers (16.9f) in March. Yet to fire for current yard though and arrives with something to prove.

Form: 662-P88

Bellbird^p1⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 98

17/2

In good form without winning this winter until only sixth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (18.1f, good to soft) 40 days ago. Cheekpieces go on for the first time and the sort to bounce back.

Form: 728226

Non-Runners

Serious Ego⁵⁸

Weight: 11-1| Age: 12

T: N G Richards J: Conor Rabbitt

Forecasts

The Grafter (5/2), The Grey Man (16/5), New Found Fame (6/1), Risk D'Argent (13/2), Bellbird (17/2), Feel The Pinch (12/1), Falco Des Pins (14/1), The Secret Pearl (20/1), Serious Ego (20/1), Clinton Lane (25/1), El Jefe (28/1), Imperial Storm (100/1)

A case can be made for a few of these but the vote goes to THE GREY MAN who impressed when going in at Leicester and can make light of a 4 lb rise. The Grafter rates a big threat though on the back of his promising Haydock second, while Risk d'Argent, Clinton Lane and The Secret Pearl all need factoring in too.