The National Hunt season is beginning to ratchet up a gear or two with the shortening evenings and nothing screams ‘jumps racing’ more than a racecard getting underway not long after midday.
Bangor-on-Dee (12.40-3.55) have a decent jumps card on Tuesday with seven races to be won and you can watch all the action – as well as every race from the UK and Ireland – via live streaming when logged into MansionBet.
Our tipster has selections for all the Bangor action this afternoon.
12.40 – Read Ben Curtis’ Blog Weekly At Betsafe Intermediate Hurdle (2m7f)
Just a match to get things underway and it should be a close-run thing between THE WOLF and Thegallantway. Fergal O’Brien’s horses are in superb form and, by association and otherwise, so is Paddy Brennan, but The Wolf is best on ratings and ended last season with an honourable seventh in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival. He should shade this, all things being equal, for Olly Murphy.
Tip: The Wolf @ SP
1.10 – Betsafe Racing From Over 40 Countries Novices’ Chase (3m)
It’s unlikely that the alliance of O’Brien and Brennan will leave here empty-handed. They may be denied in the first but COOL DESTINATION can put them on the scoresheet. An point winner in Ireland, he got off the mark over fences with a game success here last month and looks to have scope for better. The Butcher Said is an obvious danger for the Olly Murphy team.
Tip: Cool Destination @ SP
1.40 – Betsafe Leading Over The Last Free Bet Handicap Hurdle (2m½f)
Teqany won nicely at Newton Abbot four weeks ago and should go well despite a 5lb rise but preference is for EL BORRACHO. He landed maiden/novice hurdle wins at Southwell and is worth another chance having finished a beaten favourite on handicap bow at Stratford recently. He was a bit keen early on and if Robbie Dunne can get him to settle, this looks a good spot for him.
Tip: El Borracho @ SP
2.15 – Top Price All Runners At Betsafe Handicap Chase (2m4f)
LOCK’S CORNER was an impressive winner over fences at Southwell last month for the Jonjo O’Neill team. That’s his third win on the bounce since a wind operation late last summer, the first two having come over hurdles before his winter/spring break. Richie McLernon didn’t have to throw the office at him last time before he came well clear and he can defy that handicapper.
Tip: Lock’s Corner @ SP
2.50 – Betsafe Best Odds Guaranteed Novices’ Hurdle (2m3½f)
The top three on the racecard look the ones to focus on. Polish will have a chance should his hurdling technique be improved over the summer while Fugitives Drift made good steps forward in two hurdles run in the spring for Nicky Henderson.
Both are respected but perhaps race fitness will help FINISK RIVER to get the job done. He hasn’t always jumped the best in twice winning well at Cartmel but his relentless attitude will leave his rivals gasping if they aren’t fully tuned up.
Tip: Finisk River @ SP
3.25 – Read Donald McCain’s Blog At Betsafe Handicap Chase (3m)
Dr Richard Newland’s horses are in sparkling form and this extended journey should play to the strengths of BBOLD. He had plenty in hand when winning at Stratford in July and, having disappointed back there over shorter afterwards, he showed pleasing form to be third over 2m6½f back there this month from this rating. His stamina may be key today.
Tip: Bbold @ SP
3.55 – Follow betsaferacing On Twitter Handicap Hurdle (2m7f)
He was under pressure a long way from the line and needed plenty encouragement from David England but DEL DUQUE eventually rattled home very strongly to make a winning handicap debut at Uttoxeter over 2m4f last month. He had also finished second in a novice hurdle over an extended two miles here on his previous start. He’s up 5lb for his win and this longer trip should allow him to take another step forward.
Tip: Del Duque @ SP