Bangor-On-Dee Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 5m 46.43s

Aazza^p³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Ryan Mania| T: Paul Robson| OR: 97

15/8

Landed a 3m Wetherby handicap in March prior to following up over a similar trip at Southwell in April, full value for the win despite getting first run. Up 5 lb but dangerous to dismiss in hat-trick bid.

Form: 938211-

Izzy's Grey^t1¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Lee Edwards| T: B Clarke| OR: 92

7/1

Maiden placed in two C&D handicaps prior to disappointing (pulled up) at Uttoxeter earlier this month. Needs to bounce back in first-time tongue tie.

Form: 45032-P

Strolling Along^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 91

6/4

Debut fourth in Carlisle bumper but proved too free in maiden/novice hurdles. Much improved when racing more efficiently in tongue tie when third of 14 on handicap debut at Huntingdon (20.7f) last month. Remains open to further progress over this longer trip and good claims.

Form: 49973-

Heather Honey⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 90

7/1

Lightly-raced mare justified support to easily get off the mark in a 9-runner Newcastle handicap (23.7f) last time, appreciating the longer trip. 8 lb rise makes life tougher but further improvement cannot be ruled out.

Form: 598541-

After Many Days^p⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 88

7/1

On a potentially fair mark judged on bits and pieces of her hurdles form but not on what she's achieved in 3 hurdles runs since returning to action in November. Underwhelming chase debut last time doesn't inspire confidence, and she has something to prove back over hurdles with headgear refitted.

Form: 7/5P83P-

Non-Runners

Fine By Her¹⁷⁰

Weight: 11-9| Age: 9

T: J S Smith J: Harry Bannister

Forecasts

Strolling Along (6/4), Aazza (15/8), Heather Honey (7/1), After Many Days (7/1), Izzy's Grey (7/1), Fine By Her (20/1)

STROLLING ALONG channelled his enthusiasm more efficiently fitted with a tongue tie when third on handicap debut and looks to have a big chance if he can do the same over this longer trip. Hat-trick seeking Aazza could be dangerous if allowed to dictate, while Heather Honey should not be underestimated on the back of her comfortable Newcastle success.