Bangor-on-Dee - Wednesday 25th February 2026
Having reached the frame on both outings over hurdles, HALFTHEWORLDAWAY could be poised to open her account. The five-year-old finished 15 lengths clear of the third at Uttoxeter last time out and a repeat of that performance may prove sufficient. Point-to-point third Longhouse Gem is a potential fly in the ointment on her Rules bow and market support could prove significant. Geordies Betty is the pick of the remainder.
The Hawkstonian dug deep to gain a breakthrough victory at Ffos Las and he's still open to improvement. However, COUNT OF VENDOME created a fine impression when romping home at Doncaster and may possess too much speed for Ben Pauling's charge. Harry Lowes has proved a little underwhelming since scoring at Exeter in November, but a return to this sort of distance may help.
Having continued on his upward trajectory when completing a four-timer at Doncaster, MASK OF ZORRO is difficult to oppose. Rian Corcoran negates a 6lb rise in the ratings with his 7lb claim and further glory may be imminent. Twistthenightaway made a winning handicap debut at Newcastle and is the obvious danger, although an improved performance from the down-in-class Classic Concorde wouldn't come as a surprise.
MIRABAD was not disgraced when filling second place behind a high-class prospect in the Kingmaker at Warwick earlier in the month and, with his sights now lowered, the seven-year-old is expected to go one better. Titan Discovery won a competitive handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in December and is likely to be the biggest threat to the selection because Leading Choice has plenty to find on official ratings.
JACKS PARROT has improved with each run this season and he was only denied by a length at Ludlow a week ago. The first-time application of blinkers, as well as this step up in trip, should help the seven-year-old and he gets the vote ahead of Breeze Of Wind, who was second in the Borders National at Kelso and remains on a workable mark. Astronomic View and Gold Emery are others to note.
Copper Cove's chance certainly hadn't gone when he fell at the last over 2m5f at Hereford earlier in the month and he remains of interest, but the vote goes to JIAIR MADRIK. The seven-year-old returned to form when chasing home an odds-on shot at Catterick on his latest outing and he could take advantage of an unchanged rating. Port Or Starboard is the pick of the remainder.
Casual Observer is an interesting contender on his chasing bow after winning over the smaller obstacles at Ffos Las last year, but the long absence is a slight concern. With that in mind, OSTEND gets the nod. Alastair Ralph's eight-year-old failed in his attempt to make all when third at Southwell, but has been dropped 3lb for that effort and that might prove to be kind. Bowenspark completes the shortlist.
Geordies Betty probably sets the standard on her recent novice run in a much better race. That form took a boost over the weekend so she is respected but she may be seen at her best over further in handicaps after this. HALFTHEWORLDAWAY proved she could be competitive over this shorter trip last time and a repeat of either of her placed effort so far may be enough to get off the mark here. The more experienced Ufouria was poorly placed in a handicap at a sharp track last time but is also entitled to be competitive at this level.
Dual bumper winner COUNT OF VENDOME sets the standard on his last time out maiden win where he came a long way clear of an Irish bumper winner. He has proven himself versatile ground wise and should be able to defeat another last time out winner in The Hawkstonian who coped well with testing conditions last time. He will be staying on at the finish but will need a stiff test at the trip to show his best. Debut winner Harry Lowes met trouble when closing on his handicap debut over further last time and is another who can threaten if getting a decent test at the trip.
This looks a match race between Mask Of Zorro and TWISTTHENIGHTAWAY. The former is respected after racking up a sequence defeating a well backed rival last time and his 6lb rise if more than offset by his useful jockey's claim. However narrow preference is for the unexposed latter who was ultimately well on top at the finish over 2 1/2m on heavy ground on her handicap debut. She's only gone up 4lb for that victory and the way she powered through the line suggested that she'd have much more to offer for her top stable over staying trips. The consistent Manowest can do best of the remainder if the ground isn't too testing.
MIRABAD won't see another rival here. He split a classy pair last time at Grade 2 level so has a clear class edge and his frontrunning style will be put to good use. His only rival with a chance on the ratings is progressive handicap hurdler Titan Discovery who is making his chase debut. However his improvement came over staying trips and he is unlikely to be able to go the early pace that the selection will set.
Top weight Jacks Parrot arrives in good form and is likely to prove popular in the first time blinkers having just been out-battled late by a well handicapped rival off the same mark last time. His previous Tommy Whittle form has been franked so he holds obvious claims but this is a relatively quick return from a stayer so it may be worth chancing PLANNED PARADISE at the other end of the weights. He is now 9lb below his last winning mark and he has largely been holding his form well this term despite only getting going at the end of his races. Marathon trips suit best so this should be ideal and with plenty of early pace in the race he should be staying on strongly off a light weight. Course winner Lagonda is well treated if building on her latest revival and can fight for a place with the consistent but frustrating Gold Emery.
COPPER COVE would've placed but for falling last time and is entitled to go close once again off this much reduced mark. He is well handicapped on his best hurdles form which came over a similar trip on testing ground and he remains relatively unexposed in this sphere. Just Aidan didn't get far on his chase debut but is only 2lb higher than his last winning hurdles mark so if his jumping holds up he is entitled to be a threat. Top weight Jiair Madrik produced his best effort yet for this stable last time and was capable of much better when trained in France so also holds fair claims in a weak contest.
CASUAL OBSERVER is chosen to overcome a long absence and make a winning chase debut. He was a cosy winner off 6lb lower over this trip on his last hurdles run and his strong point form suggests he'll have much more to offer in this discipline. Kykorock lost his unbeaten run over fences last time but he still performed with credit and shaped as if this longer trip could bring further improvement. He will provide a challenge along with course specialist Ostend who bounced back to form after a wind op last time and could be allowed to dictate here.
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