Timeform UK SmartPlays: Friday August 3

The opening 14:10 juvenile contest can go the way of Donald McCain's Halogen. A ready winner over today's trip on his hurdling debut at Market Rasen in June, he previously had just the one start on the Flat (too green to do himself justice on the all-weather back in February) and as such appeals as the type to show plenty of improvement and he gains racecourse experience. Live threats with previous hurdling form are thin on the ground, and despite the prohibitive odds Halogen should prove difficult to beat under a penalty to get backers off to a good start.

Just over an hour later on the card, and over the same seventeen-furlong distance, Prompter is fancied to carry JP McManus's famous colours to victory in the 15:20 novices' hurdle. Rated in the 100s when on the Flat with Michael Bell, this Motivator gelding made a most pleasing, if considerate, hurdling debut when third at Southwell in May, racing freely and not at all knocked about. Disappointing at Market Rasen three weeks later, he nevertheless remains one worth sticking with such was the impression he created previously and, given the inconsistencies of some of his market rivals, he rates a decent proposition to get back on track.

Finally, Otto Quercus can give owner/trainer John Wade success in the 15:55 handicap chase. Evan Williams' Bay Central is likely to be popular under a penalty in his attempt to follow up victory last week, but his jumping remains cause for concern. Conversely, Otto Quercus impressed with his fluent jumping when runner-up in a decent contest at Southwell last time (fourth and sixth have won again since), and will be hard to beat today with a similar display.

Timeform SmartPlays

all at Bangor
Back Halogen @ 1.654/6 in the 14:10
Back Prompter @ 2.89/5 in the 15:20
Back Otto Quercus @ 4.3100/30 in the 15:55

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