1.50pm Bangor Tips & Betting Preview 09/11/2016

14 runners have been declared for this competitive Class 2 handicap chase over 3m. Read our full race preview for our experts’ betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: BEG TO DIFFER has fitness to prove on his first start since suffering an unfortunate mishap at the Cheltenham festival in March but he overcame a sloppy round of jumping to win quite impressively at Sandown two starts ago and is a low-mileage 6yo with the potential to develop into a very smart chaser this season. He gets the vote ahead of Call Me Vic, who ran a big race when second at Aintree in June. The selection’s stablemate Spookydooky is well handicapped if on song after his summer break and Valadom is also of interest, given the form of his front-running success at Uttoxeter in May has worked out very well.

1 Perfect Candidate – Thorough stayer who is versatile regarding ground and won two good-quality 3m2f handicaps at Cheltenham last season, the latter in April; subsequent 6lb rise could make things tough on today’s seasonal debut, though.

2 Seventh Sky – Became very inconsistent last season and signed off with a poor performance in the bet365 Chase at Sandown in April but is now back on the same mark as when making all for a convincing success at Haydock (2m7f, heavy) in December and might have been freshened up by a break.

3 Cloudy Too – Capitalised on some help from the handicapper when eased-down winner of the Grade 2 Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock (3m, heavy) in January but is not the force of old and his form dipped afterwards; ought to be fresh after a break today but others have more appealing profiles.

4 Beg To Differ – Lightly raced chaser who lacked fluency in the early stages but produced an impressive turn of foot to win in a first-time visor at Sandown (3m, soft) in February; went up 10lb for that and been absent since coming to grief at the Cheltenham festival but could have a lot more to offer this season.

5 Ballykan – Won twice over 2m4f with cheekpieces added in summer and was a creditable third in a Listed handicap at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) on latest outing in September; today’s longer trip won’t be a problem and there’s every chance he’ll give another good account.

6 Sego Success – Responded well to first-time cheekpieces when making all at Doncaster (3m, soft) in December and can’t be ruled out off just a 2lb higher mark here, but he quickly went off the boil afterwards and returns from his summer break without headgear.

7 Goodtoknow – Struck form and won consecutive starts in February/March, more recently when digging very deep to prevail at Taunton (3m4f, good to soft); not seen since pulled up in the Scottish Grand National in April, though, and will need a new career-best performance to have any chance here.

8 Ziga Boy – Gained the second of two 3m Doncaster wins last winter in the Listed Sky Bet Chase; not in same form at Kempton on final two starts last season but begins new campaign from a workable mark and no surprise if he makes his presence felt.

9 Gallery Exhibition – Not very consistent but won twice over about 2m4f in 2015 and travelled well for a long way when third after a break at Fakenham (3m, good) last month; competes off the same mark today and is not out of this if he comes on for the run.

10 Spookydooky – Improved upon low-key chasing debut when scoring at Newbury (2m6f, soft) just under a year ago and was subsequently placed off a mark 5lb higher than today’s in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter (4m1f, soft) in March; absent since a poor run the following month but a player if back on song after break.

11 Call Me Vic – Gained his two chase wins in small-field novice events last summer (2m6f/3m) but ran a big race when second in a competitive handicap at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) in June; only fourth when favourite at Perth later that month but been given a break and could have a say.

12 Valadom – Ran well in three cross-country chases at Cheltenham last season and the form of his front-running success in a conventional chase at Uttoxeter (3m, good) in May has been very well advertised by the placed horses; soundly beaten in a Grade 2 hurdle after a break last month but today’s assignment looks more suitable; one to consider.

13 Howlongisafoot – 3-12 over fences when in the care of Paul Nicholls, the latest win gained off today’s mark at Taunton (2m5f, good) a year ago; didn’t run badly when second in gruelling event on heavy ground for that yard on latest outing in April but faces a fairly tough test on seasonal/stable debut here.

14 Smooth Stepper – Given a good tactical ride to win at Newcastle (2m7f, soft) just under a year ago but didn’t really build on that performance afterwards and was comfortably held when fourth on latest outing in April; current mark probably not beyond him but others appeal more.

myracing Forecast Prices: 5/1 Beg To Differ, 7/1 Sego Success, 8/1 Ballykan, 10/1 Perfect Candidate, Goodtoknow, Gallery Exhibition, Spookydooky, Valadom, 12/1 Ziga Boy, Call Me Vic, Smooth Stepper, 14/1 Seventh Sky, Cloudy Too, 20/1 Howlongisafoot