Bangor On Dee 2.12 - North Wales National - HC - Class 4 - 3 miles 5 and 1/2 furlongs - 15 run - Soft

 

I whittled the 15 runners down to an initial list of 10 horses and from them discounted Pappa Poutine (not suited to trip / conditions) , Well Dick inconsistent so a last time out win bodes badly); Duke of Deception  and Caeruleaum (both look to be a little in handicappers grip now) for the reasons indicated. 

 

At the top of the market it is very hard to look past ROCKINASTORM for Henry Daly and ROUGE DE L'QUEST for Rebecca Curtis. Both are in good form, there would be a small trip niggle about RDLQ but this track should be easier than finishing up the steep hill at Exeter and I simply cannot not invest in in them.

 

HAUTE ESTIME was 3rd in this last season, is 5 lbs better off and looked to be running in to good form last time and is my 3rd rated.

 

That leaves me very reluctantly leaving out a trio who on another day would be quietly confident bigger priced each way pokes and I do fear Fern Hill, Animal and Laskalin very much and hopefully they will be winning soon but not quite yet today (Robin)

 

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Kempton 2.50 -  Handicap Hurdle - Class 4 - 2 miles 5 furlongs - 15 run - Good to Soft

 

Star Of Affinity is in good form but gets another 7 lbs penalty and a Class 5 win at Taunton would not be the ideal prep for a race with far greater depth. Thunderclap won this race last year on its third seasonal run, this is his second run this season and he runs off a 4 lbs higher mark and he was my 4th best rated.

 

My clear top three though to enhanced places are in preference order-: BREDON HILL who has form figures of 2-1-3 and who may have caught a pair of above average types at Warwick last time and it'll be interesting to see if he franks the form of that race here for future reference down the line. SUN JOY returns to hurdling with best Hurdle for on Good to Soft ground and off a very nice hurdle mark and another returning to the smaller obstacles is BLAIRGOWRIE whose form over Chase Fences of P-F-0 belies a decent Hurdle profile with a best win mark of 110 so a very appealing 105 mark today, if he can transition back to Hurdling quickly. (The Advisor)

 

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The Dundalk NAP each way would be FINE PRINT in the 7.30 Handicap over 12 furlongs after a promising run last time out.

 

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TRACKERS 

 

Bangor 2.12 Rouge De L'Quest

Southwell 4.10 Eligible (turf form)

Bangor 4.25 Wrappedinrubles

Southwell 6.45 Motagally (turf form)

 

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