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Horse Racing

Follow the Road to Victory

February 2024

Pitwood Road has plenty going for her in the Camden Stout Mares' Maiden Hurdle at Bangor on Wednesday.

County Cork trainer Terence O'Brien brought her over to win a bumper at Ayr and he has now moved his attention from Scotland to Wales.

The six-year-old mare is owned by Derrick Mossop, who saw his colours carried to victory by Anglers Crag in the valuable Eider Chase last weekend, so he is on the crest of a wave currently.

Having chased home the useful Annalecka on her debut under rules having won a point to point, she was prominent in the betting at Thurles before Christmas but failed to lay a glove on Willie Mullins' Femme Magnifique, who ran in a Grade Two next time out.

Brought to Ayr earlier this month, she won in a canter under Brian Hughes and he maintains the ride in a race in which his main employer Donald McCain has two runners.

The testing ground should suit Nigel Twiston-Davies' Guard The Moon in the Ruabon Novices' Hurdle.

The winner of two bumpers, he made his hurdling debut at Chepstow where he ran too keen to do himself justice.

It was to his credit he was beaten just over 7-lengths into third and if he settles better, he should take all the beating.

Catch Him Derry won with more in hand than the official 0.75-length verdict suggests at Southwell in January.

Dan Skelton's charge had shown glimpses of promise but always threatened to do better once handicapping.

Harry Skelton rode him with plenty of confidence for a horse racing over 1600m further than he had ever tackled before but it was never really in any doubt.

Raised 6 points, that should not be enough to stop him.

Goonhilly can give Skelton a winner at Wincanton in the Golf Memberships On Sale March 1st Maiden Hurdle.

He has probably not quite progressed as Skelton would have hoped after he finished third on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter and he disappointed at Taunton last time out.

He should be given one last chance to shine here.

Pedley Wood showed improved form last time out despite his hat-trick bid being foiled.

He is bottom weight in the Family Raceday April 21st Free Entertainment Handicap Chase and can get back to winning ways with Freddie Gingell's 5lb claim further aiding his cause.

Charlie Appleby's Creative Story is bred to be smart and can make a winning debut in the Unibet Zero% Mission Novice Stakes at Kempton.

The son of Too Darn Hot is a half-brother to National Stakes winner Quorto, also trained by Appleby.

While Quorto was out in the June of his juvenile season, Creative Story is making his debut at three but his dam, Volume, was third in the Oaks so the pedigree is not all about early speed.

Eve Johnson Houghton's Lady Of Arabia is worth following as she goes for a third successive win in the Try Unibet's Improved Bet Builder Handicap. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings on Wednesday. Here are the tips.

BANGOR: Race 1: 16.20 Shady B, Race 2: 16.50 Breeze Of Wind, Race 3: 17.20 Gold Emery, Race 4: 17.50 PITWOOD ROAD (NAP), Race 5: 18.20 Guard The Moon, Race 6: 18.50 Catch Him Derry.

WINCANTON: Race 1: 16.35 Passing Kate, Race 2: 17.05 Goonhilly, Race 3: 17.35 Pedley Wood, Race 4: 18.05 Tune In A Box, Race 5: 18.35 Royal Sam, Race 6: 19.05 Famous Clermont.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 19.30 Mutasawi, Race 2: 20.00 Lady In Havana, Race 3: 20.30 Creative Story, Race 4: 21.00 Lady Of Arabia, Race 5: 21.30 Kumari Star, Race 6: 22.00 Holbache, Race 7: 22.30 Tortured Soul.

ALL TO COME: Pitwood Road and Catch Him Derry (Bangor, Races 4 and 6).

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