HORSES that have won at Bangor-on-Dee often make interesting bets at the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival.
In fact, there are decent contenders from each of the racecourse's last five fixtures.
The highlight of jump racing's year lasts from Tuesday to Friday next week, and many punters will have backed Denman, seen to great effect at Bangor in February, for the Royal and SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle on the second day.
He is a big favourite and, at 2-1 or thereabouts, the value in supporting him may well have disappeared.
Jeremy Cuddle Duck won twice at Bangor in August and October. Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has three Cheltenham options for him, including taking on Denman for which the horse is a 40-1 chance. The novices' hurdle race on the final day is perhaps more likely - he is 25-1 for that.
Hakim won at the same Bangor-on-Dee fixture in August as Jeremy Cuddle Duck. Having gone on to victory in Aintree's Grand Sefton Chase since then, he is 33-1 for both his Cheltenham choices - either the Racing Post Plate on Thursday or the Grand Annual Chase on the last day.
Novice chaser Nadover won at Bangor just before Christmas and has been in the winner's enclosure again in 2006. The Charlie Mann-trained five-year-old could be an in-form possibility for the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase on day three. His price is currently 25-1.
Next week, news of Nantwich-owned star horse Iris's Gift which is being aimed at the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the last day of The Festival.
The wintry weather did for Bangor's first Sunday fixture at the weekend. Next up is Countryside Day on Saturday March 25.
The next racing at Bangor is on Saturday March 25. Call 01978 780323 for ticket details.
