Hi all,
Some good racing this afternoon as Bangor holds its most valuable meeting of the year. Meanwhile at Exeter we have an interesting clash between Sporting John & Fiddlerontheroof in the beginners’ chase (3:10). However, I am off to the Welsh track for today’s selections in a competitive looking handicap chase (1:55).
Bangor
1:55 – Anne Duchess Of Westminster Memorial Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m
Boldmere heads the betting and should be fitter for his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow last month. A winner of two of his four starts over fences last season. He had the Grade 2 Towton Novices Chase at Wetherby at his mercy when falling at the last back in February.
The Two Amigos has done all his winning at 3m 2f+. Put in a career best on RPR’s when runner-up at Taunton in March. The soft ground will bring his stamina into play and although this is his seasonal reappearance, he did win first time up in 2018. He deserves to win a race like this.
Venetia Williams is 4-7 +48.5 with her runners in the race since 2010 and she relies on Yalltari for a fifth win in the race. The 9-year-old looked an improving chaser two seasons ago. Last season was a bit of a write off as he ran poorly on both starts. First run for 256-days but he’s won off a layoff in the past. If he was to bounce back to his best, he looks on a good mark.
Django Django has a bit of an in and out profile but when he’s on song he’s good, as he showed when winning a handicap chase at Newbury in January. The 7-year-old was well beaten on his seasonal return at Ascot 11-days ago but is on a handy mark, if bouncing back.
Verdict: The obvious pick looks to be the potential improver and favourite Boldmere. I’m loathe to leave a Venetia Williams runner out of this race. Django Django has each way claims if on a going day and I can see The Two Amigo’s going well on his seasonal return if fully tuned up.
1pt each way – Django Django – 12/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
1pt win – The Two Amigos – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John