Bangor preview: Two Taffs ticks all the right boxes
Published:
David Metcalf | October 27, 2015
Trainer Dan Skelton has his team in fine form, and Two Taffs can provide him with another winner in the 2m novices’ hurdle on today’s card at Bangor (15.00).
The gelding created a good impression when making a successful bumper debut at Market Rasen in March, travelling strongly on the heels of the leaders before pulling clear approaching the final furlong to score by 3 1/2 lengths.
Two Taffs was value for much more than the winning margin, and it was a performance which suggested he had a big engine and needed keeping firmly onside.
The form has also received a boost with the fourth home Towering, who was beaten just under 12 lengths, having gone on to win three times over hurdles.
Given that Towering’s last success came off a rating of 120 in a competitive handicap hurdle at Cheltenham, there is every reason to believe Two Taffs will make up into an above average performer over the obstacles.
The son of Flemensfirth is certainly bred to be useful, being a brother to the winning hurdler Hannah Jacques, and with Harry Skelton in the saddle Two Taffs can take this before going on to better things.
Theinval a worthy favourite
In the 2m 4f novices (14.30), Theinval looks a worthy favourite to make a winning return to action.
The gelding was placed twice over fences when trained in France, and after joining trainer Nicky Henderson showed much improved form over hurdles last season when winning three times.
Theinval posted a career-best efort in the last of those when landing an ultra-competitive 21-runner class 1 handicap at Aintree by 1/2 a length, and that victory saw him get a rating of 151.
That sets a clear standard if Theinval is able to translate his hurdles form to the larger obstacles, and granted a clear round the five-year-old is going to be be very hard to beat.
Selections:
13.55: Fred Le Macon
14.30: Theinval (NB)
15.00: Two Taffs (NAP)
15.30: Gee Hi
16.00: Monetary Fund
16.30: Criq Rock
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