Chris Cook's Friday focus: can the Crisfords maintain their flying form at Ascot?

Willie Mullins sends first runner to Bangor

Willie Mullins continues to dabble in low-key British jump racing, sending Fine Margin over for the third time this season. Having been the champion trainer's first winner at Fontwell and also at Worcester, the seven-year-old looks a likely favourite for Friday's opening novice hurdle at Bangor (1.35), where Mullins has never had a runner before. Until this horse, he'd never had a jumps runner in Britain in May or July either, and this could be his first British jumps winner in the month of September. The prize-money won't make much difference to the trainers' championship but it would be no surprise if Mullins continued to step up his number of raiders this term.

Fine Margin13:35 Bangor-on-Dee

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Jky: Mr P W Mullins Tnr: W P Mullins

Candlish and Quinlan combine again

A recent treble at Cartmel highlighted the form of Jennie Candlish's jumpers and she has been especially effective this season when combining with jockey Sean Quinlan, who's won five times from 17 rides for her. They team up again with Bergentown, who ran well on his reappearance and now returns to the scene of his only British success for a handicap hurdle at Bangor (2.45). At the end of the card (5.35), Grifter is no star but he'll be fit from the Flat and ought to manage better than on his only previous hurdles start for the yard, when he was only four and soft ground was probably against him.

Bergentown14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

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Jky: Sean Quinlan Tnr: Jennie Candlish

Ascot opportunity for Awaal

Awaal was fancied for the Bunbury Cup, having been third the year before, and he was in the front rank a furlong from home but then tired into seventh. He was fully entitled to need that first outing since October and a much more winnable mile handicap at Ascot (4.45) might be a better time to catch him. The Crisford yard continues in strong form, with 23 winners since the start of July.

Awaal16:45 Ascot

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Jky: William Buick Tnr: Simon & Ed Crisford

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