3.10pm Bangor Tips & Betting Preview 28/09/2016

The feature race on Wednesday’s Bangor card is a Class 3 handicap chase over 2m4f. Read our full race preview for our experts’ betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: This is a significant drop in class for Johns Spirit, who was rated 24lbs higher at his peak and has contested some hot races over the last few seasons. If refreshed by a break he’ll be very difficult to beat, but there’s no denying that he was disappointing last season. He comes here with something to prove so it’s the classy GERMANY CALLING who we side with off a very workable mark.

1 Johns Spirit – Won the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) in 2013 and went very close to defending his crown under a big weight in that race 12 months later; became regressive last season and looked rather laboured when a disappointing favourite on latest outing in May but subsequent 136-day break might have done him good and this is his easiest assignment for years.

2 Germany Calling – Has done all his winning at around 2m but ran a big race over 2m4f when third in a competitive Uttoxeter handicap in May; not quite in the same form since then but will appreciate today’s drop in class and, from a workable mark, warrants serious consideration.

3 Final Assault (non runner) – Ended last season with a disappointing performance and tends not to find a huge amount for pressure but begins new campaign on a handy mark and has an easy C&D success (in January 2015) to his name; would make more appeal on slower ground but can’t be ignored.

4 Raktiman – Opened account over fences with clearcut win at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) in February but that form is nothing out of the ordinary and he was comfortably held when third of five on latest outing in April; others more appealing.

5 What Happens Now – Didn’t achieve much over hurdles last season but is 3-4 since switched to fences in spring, the latest success gained when hanging on gamely at Worcester (2m7f, good) last month; it’s hard to knock him after that performance but he’s now another 7lb higher and this race looks more competitive.

6 Court Dismissed – Evidently suited by the step up to 3m1f when winning at Catterick (good to soft) in March but was soundly beaten on his last couple of outings, the latest with cheekpieces added (now removed); drops back in trip after 146-day layoff and riding arrangements suggest What Happens Now is the stable’s main hope.

myracing Forecast Prices: 15/8 Johns Spirit, 3/1 Germany Calling, 4/1 What Happens Now, 5/1 Final Assault, 10/1 Raktiman, 14/1 Court Dismissed