Bangor Preview: Stone Light’s claims are rock solid

Trainer Venetia Williams does well with her runners at Bangor and Stone Light can provide her with another winner at the Welsh venue in the 2m 5f handicap chase there today (1.00).

The Herefordshire-based handler has a 21% strike rate at the track in the past 12 months and in Stone Light has an unexposed type who looks well-handicapped and is taking a huge drop in grade.

The mare was a winner in France before joining Williams, and got off the mark for her new handler when comfortably landing a class 3 novices’ handicap chase at Warwick over 2m 5f back in March off a mark of 115.

The six-year-old was then off the track for 273 days before reappearing in a very competitive class 1 Listed handicap chase over 2m 1f at Ascot last month.

Stone Light was well-supported and shaped with plenty of promise to finish a not knocked about fifth of nine to Ulck Du Lin off a rating of 121.

The daughter of Ballingarry kept on nicely from off the pace to be beaten 18 lengths and looks sure to come on significantly for the outing.

The step back up to 2m 5f is another plus, and the handicapper has taken a real chance in dropping Stone Light 2lb to 119.

Stone Light also now drops down to class 4 company, and that gives her outstanding claims of getting back on the winning trail in the hands of jockey Aidan Coleman.

In the 2m 4f maiden hurdle (2.30) Ma du Fou can build on a promising debut run over the obstacles to get the better of Coologue in what looks a straight match on paper.

The Warren Greatrex trained four-year-old looked a smart prospect when overcoming greenness to make a winning debut under rules in a bumper at Wetherby back in April, and although turned over at 1/2 when third in a novice hurdle at Wetherby last month showed enough to suggest he needed keeping on the right side.

Ma Du Fou looked in need of the run, his first for 218 days, and made several novicey mistakes before keeping on well to be beaten 4 1/2 lengths.

The winner, The Grey Taylor, is a well regarded sort and the fourth home Mr Grey has come out and won since to give the form a boost.