Bangor-on-Dee 5:42 Result

This looks a moderate Class 4 novice hurdle and Hidden Fortune's form figures (1/22-1) stand out - two wins from four starts including her latest run, for a top yard (Dan Skelton) with a strong big-name jockey booking (Harry Skelton). The 117-day layoff is a slight concern but Skelton's yard is adept at placing improving young hurdlers fresh, and her level of form clearly looks superior to the unexposed/mixed form of this field. Ride Like A Girl (OR107) and Provision (OR105) are the obvious market rivals with the highest official ratings, but Ride Like A Girl's form figures show plenty of non-wins (344-1) before a recent win, suggesting she needs things to go right, while Provision's solitary widely-spaced placed效orm (5-331) is workmanlike rather than progressive. Hidden Fortune's winning profile, trainer power, and stable jockey claim make her the standout for figures and market position - she should go off favourite or near it, but represents a fair rather than false favourite given the true stamp of ability shown. The likely gentle-to-modest pace of this maiden-laden field suits a horse who has shown herself capable of winning readily. I'm siding with a query on the layoff but the substance of her form (multiple wins) outweighs those on offer even at a slightly shorter price.