Hi all,
After a couple of days without selections I’m back today.
It’s not often that Bangor-on-Dee is the standout meeting, but it is on Wednesday. The feature race of an excellent looking seven race card a Listed Mares only Novice Chase (1:25). Occasionally during the winter there’s a midweek Class 2 handicap chase with a decent sized that gets me excited. And there’s one such race at Bangor at this afternoon and it’s the Paul Ferguson Jumpers To Follow Handicap Chase (For The Sir Charles Lowther Plate) (2:00).
The most valuable race of the day though is on the all-weather at Kempton this evening. The Unibet London Sprint Series (Final) Handicap (8:00) is the feature race of a bumper nine race card. Given there’s £80,000 in guaranteed prize money its not surprising that the race has attracted a maximum field size of 12.
I have selections from both Bangor and Kempton.
Bangor-on-Dee
12:50 – Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 2m 4 ½ f
Yggdrasil won this race 12 months ago from 12lb lower. The 5-year-old was unsuited by the drop back to 2m on his seasonal return at Worcester last month. The return to C&D is a plus but his new yard is struggling for winners.
One yard going well is the David Pipe stable. He saddles Duc De Beauchene who gained his second success over fences at Newbury (2m 6 ½ f) in April before not getting home in a hot handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival. Has had wind surgery since last time and although he hasn’t the benefit of a recent run he’s gone well off a lay off in the past. The drop back in trip shouldn’t inconvenience the 9-year-old if its well run as he doesn’t find a lot when hitting the front.
1:25 – Yorton Stallions Mares’ Novices’ Chase (Listed Race) – 2m 1 ½ f
Found On has been in excellent form since March and completed a handicap five timer at Cheltenham last month. She fully deserves her place in the line-up and remains the most likely winner. At the prices though she’s worth taking on, as this will be the softer ground than she’s been racing on. Voice Of Calm made a promising chase debut when a length 2nd of 5 at Worcester last month. There are races to be won with the mare over fences and she should be fine on the ground. Galia Des Liteaux made a winning racecourse debut on heavy ground at Wetherby last December. Having had just three career starts she’s the least experienced of the nine mares but looks the type to better over the larger obstacles. Trainer Dan Skelton saddled the winner of this race in 2016.
Alan King won this last year and in 2019. He saddles chasing debutant Her Indoors. She was a useful juvenile hurdler winning twice but struggled on four starts last season. Must be respected given her trainers record in the race.
Faith Du Val, a useful enough hurdler, justified strong market support (7/2) to win on her chase debut at Sligo in September. The 7-year-old is already a better chaser than hurdler on RPR’s and she’s open to further progress in the sphere. She should be fine on today’s softer ground and should go close.
2:00 – Paul Ferguson Jumpers To Follow Handicap Chase (For The Sir Charles Lowther Plate) – 3m
Ask Me Early made it 3-5 over fences when winning at Uttoxeter in March 2021. He started last season with two wins over hurdles but was unbale to take his place in the Welsh Grand National due to a fall whilst schooling. First run since unseating his rider at Wincanton in February but remains with plenty of scope to improve past a mark of 139.
Le Milos has his first start for Dan Skelton. Twice a winner over fences for Tim Vaughan last season. He’s only had seven starts over fences so could be capable of better in the sphere. Handles soft ground well and has gone well fresh in the past. Trainer won this in 2015 & 2017.
Grumpy Charley a three time winner over hurdles, took well to fences last season winning at Newbury although he did struggle in stronger handicap company at Cheltenham and Aintree on his last two starts. All career wins on soft or heavy and should stay 3m.
Fuji Flight improved over fences to wins at Hereford and Newbury earlier in the year. Disappointing at Uttoxeter on his final start. Surely better than that performance and trainer Venetia Williams has saddled the winner of this race twice since 2014.
Kalooki pulled off a last gasp success at Doncaster last December but was poor on four subsequent starts. Inconsistent but is suited to 3m, on easy ground, and is 3lb below his last winning mark. Can win a race like this but on balance of form is opposable.
Notachance won this race in 2020 on seasonal return and then went to success in Warwick’s Classic Chase that season. He injured a hoof after his Warwick run and struggled to recapture his best form last season. Back down to the mark he won this race off and if back to his best will be hard to beat. He’s the pick just ahead of the Ask Me Early.
Kempton
8:00 – Aramis Grey had three of today’s rivals Apollo One (2nd), Tiger Crusade (4th) and Strike Red (5th)just behind when getting up close home over C&D 7-days ago. The mare has a 5lb penalty to carry but a strongly run race could see her defy it.
Apollo One was just a neck behind in second. The 4-year-old is on a winnable mark, but his losing run is now at 14. Tiger Crusade was a 1 ½ lengths back in 4th but didn’t get the clearest of runs 1f out and he looks to be coming back to his best. Strike Red was a further ¼ length back on his hat trick bid. He had been dropped to the rear from his wide draw and wasn’t well positioned behind runners as a result. He finished his race of well once in the clear and must be respected.
Aphelios has been running consistently well in turf sprint handicaps since winning at Carlisle in August and posted a career best when winning over C&D three weeks ago. He’s got a handy draw in stall 3 and seems to be going the right way.
First Folio beat Aphelios on turf at Yarmouth in September. And was solid enough 3rd of 7 over C&D 35-days ago when he would have preferred a stronger pace. That was the 4-year-old’s first run on the all-weather. Better expected back in handicap company. Although he does have an awkward draw in stall 10.
Betting Advice:
Bangor-On -Dee
12:50 – Duc De Beauchene – 1pt win – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1:25 – Faith Du Val – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Bet365
2:00 – Notachance – 1pt win – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Ask Me Early – 1pt win – 4/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
Kempton
8:00 – Apollo One – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John