Bangor-on-Dee is the sole jumps fixture in the UK and Ireland on Wednesday, featuring some competitive action.
In the 2m3½f Class 4 Ruabon Mares' Novices' Hurdle, Drumlee Spud appears to have been found the ideal opportunity to break her maiden under rules. A winner of a point-to-point at Kirkistown, the five-year-old mare joined Ben Pauling's yard and made a solid start to her career at Worcester, finishing a well-beaten second. She did little wrong on the day and just ran into a good winner – a similar performance puts her comfortably at the head of the market.
WIN: DRUMLEE SPUD
The 2m7f Class 4 tote.co.uk Never Beaten By SP Handicap Hurdle (4:05) appears to be a competitive contest with numerous runners holding credible claims. Grace Harris' Halifax catches the eye as a course and distance winner, having recorded a comfortable two-and-a-quarter length success at the track on his return in September. The six-year-old has been kept busy this season and reached a mark of 115 for that victory but failed to continue the run of good form when fourth at Worcester subsequently. He was always sat prominently but made a mistake at the final flight and weakened, which suggested he is still competitive off the current mark. The gelding was dropped to 114 for the performance and is partnered by three-pound conditional jockey Conor Ring.
WIN: HALIFAX
It is difficult to see past David Pipe's Wordsworth in the 2m½f Class 4 Nightingale House Hospice Maiden Hurdle (4:35), as probably one of the best-bred horses at Bangor on Wednesday. Formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien, the five-year-old is a full-brother to St Leger winner Kew Gardens and placed in the Group 1 Irish Derby as a three-year-old. Switched to trainer Josh Halley, Wordsworth finished a neck runner-up on hurdling debut at Ballinrobe in July, despite making a mistake in the early stages of the race. Purchased by new owner Caroline Tisdale, the horse makes his stable debut for David Pipe and could be an exciting recruit for the hurdling sphere this season.
WIN: WORDSWORTH
Trainer Grace Harris could have a few good chances on the card and is represented by Justshortofabubble in the 3m Class 5 Overton On Dee Handicap Chase (3:05). The six-year-old has raced throughout the summer with a preference for quicker ground and continues to record consistent placings for connections. He has placed in all three starts since a Stratford success in early August and returns to three miles for only the fourth time. Although the gelding's record at three miles (2 placings from four attempts) does not make mountains of appeal, Justshortofabubble has been showing better form since Ben Jones took over the ride in late July and it could be key to adding another career success.
WIN: JUSTSHORTOFABUBBLE
RACING & SPORT SELECTIONS
RACE 1: CREATIVE CONTROL
RACE 2: HEROS DE MOUTIERS
RACE 3: JUSTSHORTOFABUBBLE
RACE 4: DRUMLEE SPUD
RACE 5: HALIFAX
RACE 6: WORDSWORTH
RACE 7: EXCLUSIVE GETAWAY
RACE 8: CANNOCK PARK
