Bangor Preview: Minnie has a Mighty chance

Mighty Minnie makes her eagerly awaited handicap debut in the 2.40 at Bangor today and looks to hold major claims of making it a winning one now stepped up in trip.

The Henry Daley trained mare has only had four starts, and ran really well on the first of those at this venue when staying on to finish runner-up to the smart Bitofapuzzle in a 2m 1f bumper.

The six-year-old went on to finish a decent third in a similar contest at Southwell, and has run two respectable races since being sent hurdling this season.

Both those contests have been over 2m 5f, and Mighty Minnie has been tenderly handled and not had the pace to be competitive at the business end of affairs.

However, the daughter of Sir Harry Lewis is a sister to the stables’ former top class staying hurdler Mighty Man and the step up in trip to 3m this afternoon looks sure to suit.

Mighty Minnie is open to bags of improvement now given a stamina test, and looks to have been brought along steadily with handicaps in mind.

An opening mark of 103 may well be on the lenient side, and with Jake Greenall in the saddle this looks a nice opportunity for Mighty Minnie to open her account.

In the 3m handicap chase (2.10), Broadway Symphony can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land the spoils.

The Tracey Bailey trained gelding was a bumper winner who made the frame six times over hurdles last season, including when an excellent fourth of 17 to the now 147-rated Ulazana’s Raid at Warwick.

The seven-year-old had his attentions switched to chasing at the start of the season and was in touch when falling three out at Worcester on reappearance off an opening mark of 115.

Broadway Symphony was then well beaten next time up at Doncaster, but put in a much improved effort last time out at Towcester when runner-up to Premier Portrait.

The handicapper has since dropped Broadway Symphony another 5lb to 101, and that makes him look potentially well-treated on the pick of his form over hurdles in what isn’t a strong looking class 4 contest.

Broadway Symphony also remains unexposed over the larger obstacles and open to further improvement, and has the services of Kieron Edgar in the saddle who is good value for his 5lb claim.

Selections:
1.10: Hughesie
1.40: Relic Rock
2.10: Broadway Symphony (NB)
2.40: Mighty Minnie (NAP)
3.10: Goodtoknow
3.40: Final Nudge