Bangor
1.45 Ballyclough has won a bumper and a maiden hurdle on good ground but his brother Crocodiles Rock handled plenty of give in the ground so conditions shouldn’t be a problem. Magnifique Etoile has also won a bumper and a maiden hurdle. Both horses have to shoulder penalties and there may be something lurking among the horses yet to win a race. The two winners set the standard though. If pushed to choose I would select Ballyclough as perhaps more likely to handle the ground.
2.20 The Paul Nicholls runner may well be too good for them but he will be a very short price. Devotion to Duty has an each way chance. He has won on soft ground and ran well when 6th over hurdles at Cheltenham last time.
Newbury
12.50 Minella Stars and Penny Max look the two to concentrate on. Both have had a run over fences and both finished 3rd. Minella Stars jumped the better of the pair and so gets the nod.
1.25 Ericht won two bumpers last season and finished 6th in the Champion race at Cheltenham. He was a decent 3rd in a Grade 2 novice hurdle back at Cheltenham last month. Montbazon has a similar profile. He is a bumper winner and was runner up in the Aintree Champion race. He was also 3rd on his hurdles bow at Cheltenham. I was quite impressed with Ericht on his hurdles bow and I would just favour him over Montbazon.
2.00 Dancing Emily and Gospel Preacher have each way chances at biggish odds.
2.35 Time for Rupert probably needs a confidence booster and this could well be it. He jumps well and should have too much class for his rivals.
Picture is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.
ahorse 