16:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Friday 30 August 2019

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:40

Utilities Connections Management Ltd Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 4m 49.9s

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Selected odds by:

Izzy's Champion¹³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 100

20/1

Showed some decent form in maiden/novice company over the winter. Underwhelming on handicap debut, but given a four-month break since then and only had five starts so is not one to give up on just yet.

Form: 95359-

For Jim⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J Candlish| OR: 100

4/1

Notched third win of 2019 in some style when strolling home to score by nine-length at Perth (3m; good) recently. 9lb higher mark to contend with, and drops back in trip but this represents a drop in grade.

Form: 7-11521

Danceintothelight^t⁹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 96| D

12/1

Disappointing the last twice after compiling a list of consistent efforts in defeat over the winter. Handicapper is starting to relent a bit, but he still has work to do. Posted some good efforts in defeat here though, and riders claim will help.

Form: 23428-9

Why Lie¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: A Phillips| OR: 95

6/1

Improved showing last time when fourth in a competitive event at Worcester (2m; good) after making the frame in a seller on seasonal reappearance. Claims off same mark if able to build upon that encouraging effort.

Form: PPF0-34

Baron Von Chill¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: A Wintle| OR: 93

12/1

Looks set to play another minor role after producing a pair of down the field efforts since returning to the track this year. Also has work to do to reverse the form with Why Lie from their encounter last time out.

Form: 2PP9-87

Biscay Bay^t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 87

5/1

Still lightly raced but was well-held in seventh over C&D at the start of the month. Returns to Class 5 company now, but does have a bit to prove. Yard operating at 40% strike-rate in last 14 days.

Form: 675-247

Percy Thrower^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: James Bowen| T: S-J Davies| OR: 83

16/1

Winless in 24 starts. Down the field in four starts this year and tailed off at Worcester (2m4f; good) last week. One of a few in this line-up who can only be watched in current form.

Form: 50-7659

Jessica Rabbit²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 80

33/1

0-6 and very hard to fancy on what she has shown to date. Another disappointing effort when switched to this sphere on handicap debut when pulled-up on seasonal reappearance at Stratford (2m6f; good to soft).

Form: 66788-P

Sackfullofdreams^t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dave Roberts| OR: 78

10/3

Produced a highly encouraging effort when stepping up on his previous showings to finish second on return to action at Stratford (2m2f; good). Only 3lb higher now, and can't be written off if able to build on that run.

Form: 7P/P0P-2

Bumble Bay^p,t¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: T J O'Brien| T: R Stephens| OR: 77

10/1

In terrible form after pulling up on seasonal return at Uttoxeter (2m; good) last month. Only down the field in a pair of runs since then. Not tasted success since June 2016, and is readily opposed.

Form: 6425-P9

This Lovely Lady^p1,t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 77

25/1

Tailed off over C&D when last seen. Pulled-up in three of her six starts since switched to handicaps, and there are far more convincing alternatives in the line-up.

Form: P9P-P50

Jonjoela³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Graham Carson⁽⁷⁾| T: A Carson| OR: 64

16/1

19-race maiden who is struggling for form at present and can subsequently only be watched. Sent off at 80-1 over these obstacles at Southwell (3m; good) recently and pulled-up at the ninth hurdle when tailed off. Drops back in trip.

Form: 5044-6P

Forecasts

Sackfullofdreams (10/3), For Jim (4/1), Biscay Bay (5/1), Why Lie (6/1), Bumble Bay (10/1), Baron Von Chill (12/1), Danceintothelight (12/1), Jonjoela (16/1), Percy Thrower (16/1), Izzy's Champion (20/1), This Lovely Lady (25/1), Jessica Rabbit (33/1)

A low-grade handicap hurdle in which plenty of these can be ruled out with confidence. After showing improved form to finish second at Stratford last week, Sackfullofdreams enters calculations if he is able to build upon that more encouraging effort. The unexposed Izzy's Champion made a disappointing handicap debut at Carlisle, but this represents a drop in grade and there is still plenty of time for him to make his presence felt at this level. However, we'll stick with the most solid option in the field, that is FOR JIM. The selection regained the winning thread in emphatic style recently when demolishing his opposition at Perth and can cope with the 9lb rise.