1.50pm Bangor Tips & Betting Preview 23/01/2017

An intriguing six runner novices’ hurdle is the first order of the day at Bangor, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: The one to be with looks to be BACK TO THE THATCH, who beat a now rated 135 rated horse on his latest start when winning over C&D so that form looks very useful. His win that day showed brilliant battling capabilities and he held on really well, so with conditions to suit again he’s likely to be very tough to stop. The Bay Oak will likely throw down a strong challenge with form figures of 2121 but is likely to struggle with this more progressive looking rival.

1 BACK TO THE THATCH – Hadn’t shown a great deal over hurdles before springing into life to win a Class 3 event over C&D on his latest start, beating the now 135 rated Scotchtown on that occasion so the form looks useful. He’s likely to improve significantly again today and Richard Johnson retains the ride which is a big plus so with condition’s to suit, he should be very hard to beat today.

2 THE BAY OAK – Has form figures of 2121 over hurdles and posted another good effort when winning at Catterick on New Year’s Day (3m 1f, Good to Soft). Has been found another good opportunity today but does’t look the most progressive and though those efforts are likely to put him into the frame, he may struggle against a more progressive rival here. Main danger to the selection but the Dan Skelton yard aren’t firing on all cylinders and despite Bridget Andrews 3lb claim, he isn’t preferred.

3 EMPORER’S HILL – Showed only minor ability on his only run a bumper at Ffos Las in December (1m 7f, Soft), but did go off at 7/1 so could yet do better. Hard to know whether stepping up in distance will suit as his pedigree gives little to no clues and he’s likely best watched today.

4 GRAY DAY – Thrice raced over hurdles, winning on hurdling debut at Leicester (2m 4f, Good) and was narrowly prevented from following up over the same C&D last month. This looks much tougher but is clearly is in good heart and should have place claims if progressing again, but looks vulnerable for win purposes for Donald McCain today unless going up in trip has a major effect.

5 KING’S TEMPEST – Useful at his best in 2014/2015 but returned from a lengthy absence when tailing off at Chepstow in December, not showing any of his former zest. Could do better today upped in trip with conditions to suit but that is all taken in trust and he’s likely best watched until he shows some of his former ability.

6 FLEMBRANDT – Modest maiden pointer who was never cited when finishing a tailed off last at Hereford two weeks ago (2m 5f, Heavy), showing little to no ability. Cheekpieces go on and upped in distance but that still makes her of no appeal today and certainly one for the handicaps if anything.