The 3.20 at Bangor looks like the sort of handicap hurdle where the pace will decide everything.
HorseRaceBase has flagged this up as a very strong shape with five front runners and a high collapse risk, and that is the first thing to focus on. In a race over 2m3½f around Bangor, too much early competition for the lead can leave the door wide open for something ridden with a bit more patience.
That immediately makes life harder for the obvious pace horses. The Four Sixes won this race last year and would be a serious player if allowed his own way in front, but that looks unlikely this time. Knickerbockerglory, Magistrato, Norman Fletcher and the now absent Nowmelad all pointed to a strong gallop developing, and in this sort of setup it often pays to side with a horse who can sit just off the speed and finish.
That brings In The Age right into the picture.
Dan Skelton’s six-year-old is still lightly raced over hurdles and looks the one open to the most improvement. He won at Catterick on good ground and then backed that up with a solid second on handicap debut at Uttoxeter in much deeper conditions. Back on better ground, off just 10st 5lb, he has plenty in his favour. He is not a tearaway, which matters here, and his Comment Shaper profile suggests he can be ridden to strike when the race begins to unfold rather than getting dragged into the early battle.
He also has the right age profile for this race. The last three winners were all seven-year-olds, so it has not been a contest dominated by exposed older stayers carrying big weights. In The Age, as a progressive six-year-old from a yard that does well with these spring handicappers, fits the race better than most.
The obvious danger is Aurigny Mill. He tops the HRB ratings, he is a proven strong finisher and the pace setup should suit him well. He comes here after a good win at Taunton and has enough class to go close again. The concern is that he is now back up in grade off a higher mark and has to concede weight all round.
Static also makes some appeal. He is another late finisher likely to be suited by the race shape, and his Haydock win last time suggests he is coming to hand. The issue with him is that his profile is not quite as solid, and in a race where tactical position will matter, In The Age still looks the cleaner option.
As for the pace horses, they look opposable on balance. The Four Sixes may not get the same freedom he enjoyed when winning this last year, while Knickerbockerglory has plenty of ability but could be vulnerable late on if forced into a battle too soon. Magistrato has course form, but most of his recent best efforts came in small-field chases where he could dominate.
This looks set up for a horse who can travel, hold his place and finish late once the leaders have done too much.
Selection: In The Age
Main danger: Aurigny Mill
Confidence: Medium