Summer Raceday at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse
Racing began with the Yorton & Goffs UK Sales 9th September Mares’ Maiden Hurdle Race and developed into a decisive six-length success for the 2/1 favourite She’s A Novelty. The pace setters were Esme Shelby and Ginger Du Val, who both occupied the minor places. The winner took the inside route as the field entered the straight and galloped clear of her rivals. “She’s always run a good race and today was a nice opportunity. She’s always been a touch keen, and we’ve dropped her in. She jumped well, they went a good gallop and she stayed on to the line,” explained the jockey, Liam Harrison.
There were only two horses in contention from the off in the Nightingale House Hospice Handicap Steeplechase, topweight Havana Hermano and the bottom weight Flying Verse. The duo raced together until Brian Hughes asked Flying Verse to pick up the pace. Despite Hughes losing his whip, the winning margin was three and a quarter lengths for the 9/1 chance. Hughes said: “He’s an old boy and was only doing enough in front. We went a nice even pace and where he is in the handicap means he can win.”
“He’s an older boy now and needs a bit of help but he’s been going well at home and had a chance. The two in front stopped quickly and I was left in front sooner than I wanted. The track here takes a bit of staying,” summarised jockey Alex Edwards. He was referred to Damut I’m Out who went wide to lead to flights from home, with pricked ears and gallop clear by one and three quarter lengths from the staying on Voodoo Doll to win the Rainbow Centre Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
The Advanced Brigher Futures Wrexham Handicap Steeplechase result was a one and a half length victory for 9/1 chance Tanarpino. Jockey Sean Quinlan said: “They went a good gallop and he jumped from fence to face. He can pull himself up and he’s not a strong traveller, but he’s got loads of scope and goes long at his fences, which makes it easy.” The winner had a narrow lead jumping the last, relegating the early leader Tardree to runner-up position.
“Yes, he’s got some good really good form from last year and this looked a good opportunity for him. I always felt comfortable, but I got there too soon but he didn’t idle and stuck at it really well,” was the review provided by jockey Luca Morgan after landing the Clwyd Special Riding Centre Handicap Hurdle. The horse in question was top weight Pencreek, returned at 20/1. The winner took up the running at the two furlong post and had opened up a comfortale margin of 11-lengths on the line.
Racing closed with the Wrexham Foodbank Banc Bwyd Wrecsam Handicap Hurdle and an exciting dual to the line between Akkapenko and Calvinist, who was confirmed the winner by a head, following a photo finish. Jonathan Burke, the jockey successful explained: “He travelled nicely and jumped well. He’s a horse that’s been lacking in confidence, that will have helped him. I was happy he would pick up; it was a case of timing it right.”
