Speed Davis bn – 5.50
is an obvious danger to forecast long odds-on favourite Valgrand in an intriguing seven-runner Novices’ Hurdle over two and a half miles of ‘good to soft’ Bangor today when the rest will be hard-pressed to cope with them given my selection will probably set a good strong pace under course specialist, ex-champion jockey Brian Hughes.
This 113-rated Spider Flight 6-y-o gelding, unchallenged winner around Musselburgh last month, brings a deal of experience and know-how to the table on a track which puts great emphasis on jockeyship.
Punters might be put off Speed Davis, a flop at Hexham twenty-four days ago when a heavily-backed favourite; Don McCain’s charge was encountering a desperate surface for the first time however and a fifteen lengths defeat can undoubtedly be ascribed to conditions.
Obviously Speed Davis will be penalised which means, like Valgrand he’ll carry 11st 10lbs; the latter won an ‘egg ‘n spoon’ race at Uttoxeter earlier this month which will have taught him little but, he posted a useful ‘Bumper’ mark at Aintree under Harry Skelton, aboard again for brother Dan.
This promises to be quite a spectacle, a strong pace should indeed sort out the wheat from the chaff; the closing stages will be fascinating!
Rest of a six-race programme comprises handicaps which involve guesswork and so focis is switched turf flat-racing on Brighton, Redcar and Leicester where
She Is A Keeper le – 3.55
looks a ‘stand-out’ betting proposition for the eight-runner Claiming Stakes over seven furlongs; trained Gaye Kelleway has booked Holly Doyle!
On my time-handicap this is a shoo-in for the ex-Richard Hannon-trained Profitable filly which the ‘pocket rocket’ has ridden twice before.
Conditions are totally in favour of She Is A Keeper but confirmed bettor Gaye is unlikely to be wagering, more interesting in getting this claimed given ‘She’ has proved inconsistent!
‘Good to soft’ is forecast but it’s pouring down and I’m only a few miles from Leicester!
Despite ‘iffy’ form figures
Mount Atlas re – 4.05
is no forlorn hope for the eight-runner Maiden Stakes over ten furlongs of ‘soft’ Redcar; looks a very shallow race apart from Liberty Coach.
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