Our race preview takes a look at an intriguing handicap chase at Bangor. See our betting tips below to uncover a horse who is ready to put his consistent profile to good use by notching his first win this year.
IN SUMMARY: Theflyingportrait has been running well over both codes lately and can go well again if getting the desired lead. However this may go to ENJOY RESPONSIBLY, although he was 6 lengths behind Oscatara latest, he gets a 6lb pull at the weights and this is a perfect chance for him to get off the mark this year.
1 OWEN NA VIEW – Took full advantage of his sliding handicap mark when winning at Perth in April (16f, Good). All 3 runs since then have been very disappointing and he couldn’t be backed with any sort of confidence.
2 OSCATARA – Back to form at Uttoxeter latest (16f, Good) when a good 2nd after pulling up at the same venue a few weeks before (20f, Good). He finished ahead of Enjoy Responsibly that day, but with that horse getting a 6lb at the weights he may struggle to peg him back. Has to be respected though, although his form is certainly in and out.
3 THEFLYINGPORTRAIT – Has found the groove lately with a string of good runs over fences and hurdles. He used front running tactics to devastating effect at Perth on his penultimate start (16f, Good) when making a mockery of the opposition. Has to be hugely respected on the basis of that run and will be dangerous if given the soft lead he so desires.
4 ENJOY RESPONSIBLY – Didn’t start the best for this yard but has slowly found his feet with two good recent displays, first at Aintree (16f, Good to Soft) when finishing 4th and at Uttoxeter (16f, Good) when again filling that position out. Finished behind Oscatara on latest run but ran well for a long way and gets a 6lb pull with that rival. If in the same vein of form he can take all the beating today.
5 SEVEN DEVILS – Finally got the breakthrough when winning at Kelso in May (17f, Good to Firm). Hiked up the weights for that and then struggled at Perth a month later (16f, Good), clearly needs to improve again but is the youngest in the field so has time on his side, but today might not be his day.
6 PRESENTING LISA – Relatively lighted race but pulled up on her chase bow at Warwick in May (20f, Good to Soft). She drops in trip today which could squeeze out some improvement but she remains a risky pick and the others in the field have much more obvious, solid claims.
7 HEURTEVENT – Won a lower grade handicap at Worcester in May (16.5f, Good to Soft), but was tailed off on latest start at the same venue (20f, Good to Soft). Was badly hampered which ended her chance but she was off the pace at the time so its hard to say if she’d have really made an impact. Although off a basement mark in this race she’ll need much more and others have more pressing claims.