Friday 6th February 2026
We get things underway on Friday at Bangor, as the first of our four selections on the day comes in the 2.25, a Class 4 novice hurdle contested over two miles and half of a furlong. Donald McCain’s six-year-old THEY WANT ME should post a bold bid in this particular affair under Theo Gillard. He was second to subsequent Grade 1 winner Idaho Sun on his first start over hurdles, with that run coming over course and distance back in November. He followed that run up with a win at Kelso last time out in December, and there should be more to come. His main danger looks to come in the form of Four Springs for Ben Pauling and Ben Jones; he’s a wide-margin winner of a point, and won on rules debut at Hereford in November.
Next up, we head to Meydan for the 3.15, a conditions event ridden over 6 furlongs. This could be one for the boys in blue as CATULLUS should have strong claims for the team of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He was narrowly denied here over seven furlongs last month when finishing a shoulder second of fourteen, and that was his first run since September. The drop down to six furlongs is interesting; however, he should strip considerably fitter following that run here last month, and he could prove tough to peg back if he gets an easy lead. The main danger could come from the horse that got the better of the selection last time, and that’s Northern Champion for Ed Walker and Oisin Murphy. He’s a couple of pounds worse off this time around; however, he should still be bang on the premises if he’s in the same form.
Our third selection of the afternoon comes from Wolverhampton, and the 3.52, a Class 6 handicap over seven furlongs. LUNA BEAUX was a five and a half length winner here last time out over six furlongs, in what was her first start for Arian Wintle. The extra furlong shouldn’t be an issue here, given the manner of her success last time out, and there could well be more improvement from her for this yard. She should prove to be a big player for Finley Marsh under a penalty. The unexposed Marra Donna could be dangerous for Ollie Sangster and Cieren Fallon; he makes his handicap debut here and is open to significant improvement.
The fourth and final selection also comes from Wolverhampton, and the 4.52, a Class 3 handicap over a mile and four furlongs. It could pay to side with the Andrew Balding-trained SHRIMP SHADY here, who’s set to be ridden by Rob Hornby. He kept on well to finish second at Lingfield on his penultimate start in December, and whilst he was arguably disappointing at Kempton most recently, there should still be more to come from him off his current mark, and he’s still unexposed within handicap company. John Butler’s Rastnet is the likely main danger; he won a novice event here last time out and could progress further on his handicap debut here under Sean Levey.
2.25 – They Want Me – 13/8 – (Win) (NB)
3.15 – Catullus – 2/1 – (Win) (NAP)
3.52 – Luna Beaux – 4/1 – (Win)
4.52 – Shrimp Shady – 5/2 – (Win)
