1.45pm Bangor Tips & Betting Preview 03/01/2017

8 handicap chasers go to post for the second race of the day at Bangor, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: A few of these have potential over fences but preference is for ON THE ROAD, who was in brilliant form over hurdles and ran well on chasing debut despite racing over a trip that didn’t suit. The drop back to 2m 4f is a big plus and he has lots of potential for the inform Evan Williams team to exploit, so has to be respected.

1 CLONDAW DRAFT – Comes back from another 2 year absence today, last seen finishing 5th at Haydock on only his second chase start (2m 4f, Soft). Interesting contender but entitled to need this run and probably best watched today.

2 BENZEL – Everything has gone wrong since initially looking very progressive over fences, winning twice earlier in the year before struggling to beat any rivals since. Not sure what has gone wrong since September but still makes no appeal at present.

3 VINEGAR HILL – Progressive handicap hurdler who won 4 of his last 6, although his latest effort was very flat here back in December (2m 7f, Soft). Has to be of interest now chasing but does have a bit to find with some of these on hurdling ratings, each way claims though.

4 BRITANIO BELLO – Lighted raced over hurdles and signed off under that code when winning well at Ludlow back in February (1m 7f, Soft). Was going well enough on chasing debut at Lingfield (2m Good to Soft) when a bad blunder cost him all chance, and should know more today. Interesting contender, but this step up in trip is a slight worry as he’s not assured to stay.

5 TRUCKERS GLORY – Decent enough hurdler who was stretched by 2m 7f last time at Ffos Las, and returns to a more favourable distance now chasing. Soft ground however is worrying and others have stronger claims today.

6 BUTTERCUP – Had fair enough form in France over hurdles, which is why her British form has been pretty disappointing thus far. Did improve to finish 3rd at Uttoxeter behind an improver at Uttoxeter which was encouraging (2m 5f, Soft) and the drop back in trip seems a good move, so has place claims today.

7 THE COFFEE HUNTER – Reasonably promising chase debut at Stratford back in October (2m, Good) but was poor on his latest start at Wincanton, well beaten and tailed off (1m 7f, Good). Richard Johnson takes the ride today but has never won in soft conditions, nor as he ever raced at this trip. Too many question marks today.

8 ON THE ROAD – In brilliant form last year, winning 4 hurdles races in a row before running well at Sedgefield on his chasing debut, finishing very tired at a trip that stretched him too far (3m 2f, Good to Soft). The return to this trip is a big plus, as is the softer ground so has to be considered a leading contender today for the inform Evan Williams team.