Mumgos Debut can make a quick step up at Bangor

No surprise to see a couple of horses nibbled at in the market for Saturday’s BetVictor Gold Cup with a couple of Paul Nicholls’ runners As Du Mee 10/1 (from 12/1) and Bouvreuil 12s from 14 attracting support. Remember we are betting each way six places to celebrate our sponsorship of the race.

The ground is forecast to be good for today’s card at Bangor-on-Dee and no surprise to see Lucinda Russell get Mumgos Debut (12.50) back out on the track quickly given the eight-year-old escapes a penalty for winning a conditional jockey’s event at Hexham on Friday.

That facile success was gained off top-weight on soft ground but with rain forecast in north Wales he can take this step up in class in his stride. Note the trainer reported that the horse had benefitted from having a breathing operation.

A chance is taken on Gallery Exhibition (1.50) in the feature for Kim Bailey whose string, at the time of writing, have had two winners from their last three runners.

The selection ran well on his reappearance at Fakenham at a time when the stable were out of sorts and Mikey Hamill takes a valuable 7lbs off his back. One could argue that his best form is going right-handed and stable jockey David Bass travels to Ayr for just one ride, but in a cracking contest he can reward each way support.

At Ayr, Ballyben (1.40) can maintain the excellent recent form of Malcolm Jefferson in the 3m Handicap Chase having been a fluent winner at Carlisle last month albeit from a 9lbs lower mark.

The selection will need to improve again if he is to follow up that win over an additional quarter mile although he jumped and travelled like the best horse for most of the race.

Hi George (3.20) has a history of going well fresh and is another Jefferson horse who must have every chance despite the fact that the eight-year-old is returning from a 700-day lay-off.

The gelding is rated 16lbs lower over timber than fences and connections look to have found an excellent opportunity to exploit what looks a favourable mark over hurdles.

At Exeter, Boa Island is likely to be all the rage given he escapes a penalty for scoring at Wincanton on Saturday and Fact Of The Matter (2.00) gets the vote for Jamie Snowden.

The six-year-old won well over C&D last month and some of his 8lbs rise is negated by the 3lbs claim of the excellent Jonathan Moore. I’m looking forward to seeing how Sykes runs over the larger obstacles and he must go close but I just favour the two at the foot of the weights with marginal preference for Fact Of The Matter.

If there is a star on show it will surely be Aux Petit Soins (2.35) who is due to make his chase debut if the rains arrive for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

The selection finished fifth in the World Hurdle behind Thistlecrack following a 12-month absence having won the Coral Cup at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival on his previous start. The grey has the scope and ability to go to the very top over fences and he is one of the most exciting prospects in training.

Passmore (3.40) is taken to go one better in the mares’ novices hurdle having finished runner up to a decent sort of Philip Hobbs at Worcester on her hurdles debut last month. Alan King has his string in rude health and this filly is taken to maintain his excellent run of form.

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