BRONZE ANGEL GOING FOR GOLD
Bronze Angel can gain a long overdue victory when he takes the plunge at Wolverhampton tomorrow.
The 2014 Cambridgeshire hero has not found the mark since September 2015, but that does not tell the full story.
Marcus Tregoning’s eight-year-old has, after all, only raced nine times since then in a stop-start career.
But he has shown enough this season to suggest the likelihood of a return to the winner’s enclosure is a distinct possibility this winter.
Bronze Angel has won twice from four starts on the all-weather so that is also a reassuring stat ahead of the Betway Handicap over nine and a half furlongs.
His most recent performance in a fine race at Leicester last month will also have gone down well with connections.
The gelded son of Dark Angel was done no favours by a soporific gallop in a one-mile handicap, nor was the fact he hit trouble three furlongs out.
And yet in spite of that, he was only beaten a length into third place by Fire Brigade and Chatez.
After having won off a mark of 104 in his pomp, he is allowed to race at Wolverhampton off 95, which looks most appealing.
Tyler Saunders’ 7lb claim will also significantly boost to his chances.
Keep close tabs on Pretty Bubbles in a six-furlong handicap at Kempton.
The eight-year-old mare returned to form at Lingfield last time, when second to the useful Sword Exceed, and still remains firmly on the right side of the assessor.
Josephine Gordon’s reappointment is also good news.
Gino Trail should be much sharper than on his seasonal return when he rocks up at Wetherby.
Kerry Lee’s 10-year-old was always up against it in a soft-ground Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter, yet he shaped quite promisingly from the front until fitness told.
The 140-rated chaser must give away weight in a one-mile handicap at the West Yorkshire track, but he ought to have come on a ton for that first spin of the season and has always been well liked by his wise trainer.
It will be interesting to see down which route Lee decides to travel if Gino Trail does what is expected of him.
Plantagenet can be backed to run with honour at Hereford.
Seamus Mullins has done a smashing job with the five-year-old since his transfer from Mark Bradstock’s stable, having won four handicap hurdle races on the bounce.
He very nearly pulled off a five-timer on his chasing debut at Plumpton on November 5 when he got to within two and three-quarters of a length to Cucklington, who had already had six starts over fences.
Cucklington has also since hit the back of the net, while the third horse home, Dontminddboys, ran nicely at Warwick last week.
Plantagenet is clearly going to win races over fences and this threemile-one-furlong handicap chase looks an ideal next staging post as Mullins attempts to keep the good run going.