August 21 / 18.35 Bangor-on-Dee

18.35

Good

Becks Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 0f 145y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Becks Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 5-223F

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner who looks ready to open his account over hurdles and was travelling fine when falling late on at Worcester (2m, good) 20 days ago; should be on the scene.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Worcester

Choirmaster

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won over hurdles at Bangor in August 2023; should strip fitter for his first run in 616 days when sixth of eight at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) last month but may be best watched for now.

10/1

6th

3

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Choirmaster

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Consistent once sent into handicaps until disappointing on his final outing in September 2023; something was evidently amiss given subsequent absence and trainer can get them fit at home; on a good mark.

10/1

6th

3

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Choirmaster

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Consistent once sent into handicaps until disappointing on his final outing in September 2023; something was evidently amiss given subsequent absence and trainer can get them fit at home; on a good mark.

10/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 211 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Keen-going front-runner who makes her handicap debut after two juvenile wins at Newton Abbot (good); could take some reeling in if given too much rope up front.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:08 Stratford

Max Of Stars

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ollie Pears

Front-runner who enjoyed a resurgence last year, winning three times over hurdles and once on the Flat; absent since November, though, and will need to resume in peak form to have any chance off current mark.

7/1

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Wetherby

Max Of Stars

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ollie Pears

In excellent form over the last few months, winning three times over hurdles and once on the Flat; latest success came from the front over C&D (good; 9-2) 17 days ago; nudged up another 2lb and this is a warmer race but she's fit and hard to discount.

5/1

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Wetherby

Max Of Stars

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ollie Pears

In excellent form over the last few months, winning three times over hurdles and once on the Flat; latest success came from the front over C&D (good; 9-2) 17 days ago; nudged up another 2lb and this is a warmer race but she's fit and hard to discount.

5/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 3-6143 D BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Only 1-18 over hurdles but only narrowly failed to double his tally from the front at Southwell (2m, good) last month; same mark here and likely to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Allbetsoff

11st 9lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Kevin Hunter

Gained two of his five hurdle wins over C&D and was second off mark 7lb higher than today's when making stable debut in this race a year ago (good); lost his way afterwards, though, and absent since heavy fall in November.

50/1

6

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

13:22 Carlisle

Allbetsoff

10st 5lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Kevin Hunter

Five-time winner for Mark Walford who was runner-up at Hexham (2m, good) in May on his stable debut; however, pulled up there on both runs since (2m, good/good to soft) and returns from a break with something to prove.

25/1

3

22nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

14:18 Hexham

Allbetsoff

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Kevin Hunter

Second of nine to Blended Stealth here last month but dropped out very tamely a week ago; capable of going well but can be up and down.

8/1

Form: 116-42

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won two Stratford handicaps (both 2m2f, good) for Fergal O'Brien last summer; followed his second at Bath (1m6f, good) when a 2l defeat here 17 days ago when Zamond was well behind; 2lb nudge no help but considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(7)

14th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Eagles Realm

10st 1lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Four wins (Class 6) on AW last autumn/winter; respectable third at this course most recently; place possibilities off unchanged mark.

8/1

4th

2

(7)

14th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Eagles Realm

10st 1lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Four wins (Class 6) on AW last autumn/winter; respectable third at this course most recently; place possibilities off unchanged mark.

8/1

3rd

11

(2)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

19:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Eagles Realm

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Four wins on Tapeta at up to 2m last autumn/winter; ran okay over 1m4f here last week given he wants further.

12/1

Form: 52-763 D BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on last season's best form but yet to replicate any of that this term and was readily left behind here 17 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:38 Cartmel

Zamond

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Absent since December but that was a good run at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) and he has competitive form here on good ground; one to consider.

4/1

3

8th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

16:15 Sedgefield

Zamond

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Ended a long losing sequence in 2m4f handicap here eight days ago; scored comfortably so he's not taken lightly under a 7lb penalty.

7/4

1st

6

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:37 Sedgefield

Zamond

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Placed on last three of four starts since returning from long absence this summer, most recently when close second at Bangor (2m3f, good) this month; likely contender again.

3/1

Form: 23-232 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 8lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Last won in 2020 but continues to run well and second to an in-form rival last time at Perth (2m, good); unlikely to be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:47 Uttoxeter

Mcgowans Pass

11st 10lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jennie Candlish

Won on soft ground over 2m4f here last May but has suffered three serious defeats in the meantime and he's a 14yo now.

14/1

6th

6

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:47 Uttoxeter

Mcgowans Pass

11st 10lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jennie Candlish

Won on soft ground over 2m4f here last May but has suffered three serious defeats in the meantime and he's a 14yo now.

14/1

5th

8

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:00 Uttoxeter

Mcgowans Pass

10st 9lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

disputed lead, not fluent 3rd, lost position after 4 out

16/1

Form: 0060-6

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat form in Ireland but just modest efforts over hurdles, including a 10l defeat on debut for this yard; may yet do better but others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

30th Aug 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

18:50 Uttoxeter

Melnik

10st 9lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Not beaten far when sixth of eight on this month's stable debut at Worcester (2m, good) but his recent Bangor run was a backward step and he's now 0-7 over hurdles.

20/1

7th

8

21st Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

18:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Melnik

10st 7lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Fair Flat form in Ireland but just modest efforts over hurdles, including a 10l defeat on debut for this yard; may yet do better but others appeal more.

12/1

6th

5

1st Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:10 Worcester

Melnik

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Fair Flat form in Ireland but just modest efforts over hurdles; still has time to do better and starts out for a new yard at a modest level; tongue-tie returns.

10/1

16/1

Form: /5647- D

Last run: 180 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Started off for Gary Hanmer with good effort in first-time cheekpieces last September but is yet to build on that performance, and was well beaten with blinkers tried at Ludlow last time; cheekpieces return and he can go well fresh, so all hope not lost.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

24th Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

16:40 Hereford

Stonific

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Gary Hanmer

Not firing on all cylinders this year but handicapped accordingly now and has been placed twice this month; suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; ought to be right in the thick of things again.

5/1

3rd

5

11th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:10 Ludlow

Stonific

11st 3lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

held up in rear, hit 2nd

3/1

2nd

8

3rd Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Stonific

11st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Gary Hanmer

Quite useful in his prime but has dropped a long way down the weights over the last year or so and did not look poised to capitalise when safely held at Market Rasen (a track he likes) on Saturday.

16/1

Form: 368P8-

Last run: 186 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Didn't last long with Willie Mullins; goes handicapping after three quiet runs for this yard but will need to jump better than last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Warwick

Allibaba

11st 3lb

J: Oakley Brown

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Made light of a 538-day absence to win for the first time on his stable debut at Market Rasen (2m, good) 12 days ago; handicapper has reacted by raising him 9lb but that may not be enough to stop him following up.

6/5

1st

9

8th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:45 Market Rasen

Allibaba

10st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Offered nothing during the briefest of comebacks in autumn 2024, and another long absence since; now 25lb lower than when first entering handicaps, however, and remains in the same ownership now as then; check for market confidence ahead of this stable debut.

12/1

7th

7

16th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:03 Uttoxeter

Allibaba

10st 9lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Philip Kirby

held up in rear, outpaced 5th, lost touch 3 out, tailed off

14/1

Non-runners

Calum Gilhooley

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.40
Straight Forecast £16.34
Tricast £44.69
Trifecta £96.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Max Of Stars

TOPSPEED:

Eagle's Realm

The Times:

Choirmaster

The Guardian:

Mcgowan's Pass

SPOTLIGHT:

Stonific

POSTDATA:

Max Of Stars

Telegraph:

Max Of Stars

Daily Mail:

Max Of Stars

The Star:

Max Of Stars

Daily Record:

Max Of Stars

D Express:

Choirmaster

WEST COUNTRY:

Eagle's Realm

Daily Mirror:

Eagle's Realm

The Sun:

Eagle's Realm