15:05 Bangor
This is a reasonable looking handicap hurdle being run over nearly two and a half miles on good ground at Bangor.
Milan Of Crystal, trained by Dave Roberts, is at the bottom of the handicap but has won her last two races at Warwick and Worcester in good style. Last time out at Worcester was over a mile and a half, which she saw out nicely. She has been raised a further eight pounds for that win and this is definitely a better class of handicap, however, she is clearly in fine form so far this season and may be capable of further improvement.
Cave Top is another last time out winner, coming home comfortably in front over 17 furlongs at Exeter. He has looked comfortable over longer trips than that, so today's distance shouldn't be a problem, although he does have a further seven pounds to contend with in this stronger race. The manner of his victory at Exeter was an eased down nine lengths, and with the excellent Harry Skelton taking the ride here today, he could prove extremely dangerous.
The Donald McCain trained Man Look has been running very consistently over the summer, with two wins, three second places and a third from his last six races. He didn't appear to relish the firmer ground at Ludlow last time out, but prior to that he was right in the race at Kelso before getting it wrong at the last and ruining any chance of the win. He still finished second that day over 21 furlongs, and races from the same mark here today. He looks to have place claims but I wouldn't be surprised if he did find one or two slightly too good for him.
Nicky Henderson runs the lightly raced five-year-old War Creation, who has had just the four runs to date. She has won two of those four races, including a novice hurdle at Ludlow over two miles, and appears to be crying out for a decent step up in trip. She is from the family of Gold Cup winner Carruthers, so is likely to get at least this distance (and probably further), and with the excellent claimer James Bowen on board today claiming seven pounds, she could be in the mix at the business end of proceedings.
Tanarpino is the top weight and switched back to hurdles last time out in a better handicap than this one. That was his first run for eight months so he should strip a lit fitter today, however, he does have to give weight away all round so will need to be at the top of his game to take this.
Today's selection
Cave Top - 3 points @ 2/1