1.05pm Bangor Tips & Betting Preview 22/12/2016

10 hearty stayers go to post for the 2nd race on Bangor’s card, a 3m 5f staying chase. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Preference is for the interesting GARY CHARM, who came home with a rattle at Wincanton on his latest start over shorter and is of interest now upped in trip. He is worth the chance today and his main rivals mainly consistent of Krackatoa King and Milicent Silver who both have good form to show.

1 KRACKATOA KING – Is proven over 3m 5f on soft ground when chasing home a ready winner at Plumpton back in March (3m 4f, Soft), and is quite lightly raced for an 8 year old. Debuts for a new yard today with the same owners and should run well provided he’s fully revved up for his return to action this season.

2 BEAUBOREEN – Seems to be on a competitive mark at present and ran reasonably well on his seasonal reappearance, finishing 3rd at Uttoxeter over shorter (2m 6f, Soft), although he was solidly beaten on his latest start here over 3 miles. Unraced beyond 3m 1f which is a concern but should run well in the conditions as long as he stays.

3 MILLICENT SILVER – Hard off the bridle and being made to work very hard when being brought down in the Borders National at Kelso earlier this month (4m, Good to Soft). Conditions are fine today and so is the trip, with both Sam and Nigel Twiston-Davies at the top of their games at present, so she has to be respected today.

4 GARY CHARM – Came home with a rattle when finishing 4th at Wincanton last week (3m 1f, Good to Soft) and he is now very much of interest upped in trip. Ground conditions wont be a problem and the way he became outpaced from an early stage but came home strongly suggests this step up in trip should be within his grasp. Going back to his French form also makes for good reading as he won a total of seven chases when on the other side of the channel, so he needs lots of respect for David Pipe and Tom Scudamore.

5 VALLEYOFMILAN – Stays 3m 1f well as evidenced by his latest run at Catterick last month (3m 1f, Good) but unseated his rider on his only attempt at 3m 5f last year at Catterick. From previous outings there is some hope that he will stay the trip, as he started to keep on again late at Sedgefield over 3m 3f back in October, albeit still finishing 7th of 9. The Donald McCain yard are starting to hit form at present so he is worth a second look in the market for confidence behind him.

6 ROCKY BENDER – Didn’t show much when pulled up at Lingfield last month (2m 4f, Soft) and also pulled up the time before at Uttoxeter over 3m 2f back in May. Has won previously at 3m 6f but there are much more solid candidates today and probably best watched today.

7 BARTON GIFT – Very hit and miss but does win on occasion, the last of which came in April at Exeter (3m6f, Good to Soft). Hasn’t been anywhere near his best the last twice since returning this season. Hard to be confident he will put his best foot forward and maybe best left alone today.

8 KILCULLEN FLEM – Last four outings have been poor, latest when losing his position from quite an early stage (3m 1f, Soft) at Ffos Las last week. New trip and headgear give some hope but still hard to get excited about his chances today.

9 NAIL ‘M – Has some good form in the book including when a close 2nd behind Barton Gift at Exeter back in April (3m 6f, Good to Soft), but hasn’t been so good the last twice which is a concern. Another who would be involved at his best but is impossible to recommend in his current mood.

10 WELLFORTH – Clearly not the force of old now at the age of 12 and the majority of his runs in the last year or so have been underwhelming. Impossible to be confident.