16:35 Bangor

Saturday 19 May 2018

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Wrexham Lager Original Brew Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:37 | Winning time: 4m 41.6s

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Selected odds by:

Ofcourseiwill²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 102| BF

7/2

Irish point-to-point winner has twice finished second in as many visits here over hurdles, including when last spotted over C&D four weeks ago, should make another bid.

Form: 13P622-

Dr Dunraven^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: M Keighley| OR: 101

5/1

Maiden, posted better effort last month at Southwell over minimum trip on good ground on first start after wind surgery, could be a bit extra to come, though this trip remains a note of concern.

Form: P4/29P3-

Uncle Percy^t1⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 100

8/1

Returned from a break and wind surgery with a really tame effort at Kempton last month, going out like a light. Tongue tie added now but can only be watched this time.

Form: 064/3F0-

Flight To Nowhere²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: L Heard| T: R J Price| OR: 97

10/1

Mare scored at Chepstow in March over 2m on soft going from a mark of 88, most recent effort at Stratford was a poor one and probably in the handicapper's clutches even if bouncing back.

Form: F48146-

El Scorpio²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott| OR: 96

11/1

Pedigree suggests he should be better than what he has shown so far. Again beaten a long way at Huntingdon (2m, soft) last time. Looked short of pace that day and may do better over this longer trip on handicap bow.

Form: 70649-

Theatre Stage¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 92

11/2

Has been supported in betting on occasions over timber but so far failing to meet expectations. Poor run this month at Uttoxeter and easily passed over for now.

Form: 2/5355-9

Calarules^t1¹⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 91

4/1

Tongue-tie goes on for the first time returning from a break having failed to come on for a recent run on his comeback last time. Easy to back there and best form so far has come at 2m.

Form: 2469/43-

Naasik²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: J R Norton| OR: 86

14/1

His mark judged on his bumper form doesn't look too bad but he's not manged to show any great promise over timber so far and may continue to struggle in this.

Form: 330057-

Come On Louis^b,t²⁰⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: W T Kennedy| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 80

14/1

Has twice hit the frame in handicap hurdles at up 2m7f, though not the most consistent. Returns from a 200-day layoff now and market may guide expectations.

Form: 9843P7-

Forecasts

Ofcourseiwill (7/2), Calarules (4/1), Dr Dunraven (5/1), Theatre Stage (11/2), Uncle Percy (8/1), Flight To Nowhere (10/1), El Scorpio (11/1), Come On Louis (14/1), Naasik (14/1)

Just nine to choose from and not many appeal in truth. OFCOURSEIWILL has twice settled for second place around here already, including over this trip, and may be up to landing this prize against some mediocre opposition. Dr Dunraven posted a better effort last time out and can be involved if his stamina holds up while El Scorpio is one that should be suited by tackling this long journey.