Despite a recent abandonment and bad weather once again threatening to strike, the grounds team at Bangor-On-Dee worked their magic to get the annual Christmas Jumper Day up and running in December 2024. Ground conditions were Soft (Heavy in places) throughout the day, with the feature race coming at 2:40pm in the competitive Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (Class 3).
Race 1 – Livescore Bet “Hands And Heels” Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals/Amateurs’ Race) (Racing Excellence Series) (Class 4, 3yo+, 2m ½f)
A welter burden of 12st 4lbs proved to be no hinderance for hot favourite Classic Maestro (4/11F) in the opening race of the day, making all and kicking clear to score by 6 lengths for Jennie Candlish and Mr Edward Vaughan. Always in command and jumping well throughout the contest, Classic Maestro still appeared to be travelling in second gear over the third-last flight of hurdles, coming well clear around the home turn with Bigz Belief (14/1) to leave the remainder trailing in their wake. Ridden along on the approach to two-out, Classic Maestro only had a narrow lead with a furlong and a half to go, Bigz Belief sticking to his task well as the final flight loomed large. However, hopping over nicely and quickly extending away, victory was never in much doubt for Classic Maestro, the 6-year-old coming home a comfortable winner in the end. A record year for Jennie Candlish, she has now recorded 26 winners in 2024-25, nine of which accumulated by Classic Maestro and Skyjack Hijack!
Race 2 – Neo Business Finance Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
Another market leader to make all, Excelero (1/2F) ran out a tough winner of the second race under Brian Hughes, keeping on well in the closing stages to score by ¾ of a length for Devonshire trainer Jane Williams. Travelling strongly at the head of affairs through the opening mile and a half, Excelero moved nicely for Brian Hughes over three-out, stalked a couple of lengths further back by Atlantic Lad (5/2) with a long gap to the remainder. Despite still being on the bridle around the home turn, Excelero soon came under threat on the run towards the second-last, Atlantic Lad now rallying for pressure and forcing his way into a challenging position. Getting to the leader’s hind quarters over the last and sticking on gamely, it looked for all money that Atlantic Lad would edge into the lead. However, not to be denied, Excelero found more in the final 100 yards, staying on stoutly to fight off a plucky Atlantic Lad and provide Jane Williams with her seventh winner of the 2024-25 season!
Race 3 – Alfa Aggregate Products Golden Spurs Handicap Hurdle (Class 5, 3yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Recording a first victory since his debut in 2022, New Found Fame (16/5) held off his rivals by 1 ¾ lengths to take the third race of the day, steered home by a determined Liam Harrison for trainer Kerry Lee. Sticking to the inside rail for the first couple of miles, New Found Fame raced around a length behind early leader Saint Cyr De Pail (9/2) towards the final three obstacles, followed closely Rock Hurley (5/1) in third place. Moving up to challenge the leader around the turn into the straight, New Found Fame looked to have plenty in the tank under Liam Harrison, switching to the outside of Saint Cyr De Pail as Rock Hurley came under pressure before the second-last. Negotiating it well and bullying his way into the lead, New Found Fame soon had matters in hand, responding well for pressure over the last before extending away to score in the closing stages. A name familiar in Welsh racing, winning owner Richard Lee was also a Welsh National-winning trainer in both 2011 and 2013!
Race 4 – Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Improving dramatically from a 43-length drubbing last time out, Galassian (20/1) sprung a surprise in Race 4 to defeat the well-backed Kevin’s Pride (1/2F) by 2 ¼ lengths, with Stan Sheppard in the saddle for Mel Rowley. Racing mainly in the chasing vanguard, Galassian sat a couple of lengths behind leader Kevin’s Pride for the majority of the contest, followed on his inside by Skuna Bay (5/1) in third, and Alan De Banks (8/1) further back in fourth place. Moving up into second place over three-out, Galassian came under strong pressure as the home straight came into view, Kevin’s Pride still travelling notably better than the rest as he led them towards two-out. However, bunny-hopping his way over it, Kevin’s Pride was soon challenged by a rallying Galassian; the pair now separated by less than a length. Landing over the last with momentum, Galassian lengthened in fine style in the final furlong to claim the spoils, providing trainer Mel Rowley with a twelfth winner of the season!
Race 5 – Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (Class 3, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
It once again paid to be prominent when Strackan (11/2) scored by 4 ½ lengths in the penultimate race, always up with the pace under David Bass before going on to score in tidy style for the in-form Henry Daly. Calmly going about his business, Strackan moved sweetly at the head of affairs through the opening two miles of Race 5, chased by Mahland (8/1) in second place, with Schalke (6/1) and Plaisir Des Flos (11/4F) waiting patiently in rear division. Giving a bold sight out in front and jumping with aplomb, Strackan stole a couple of lengths on the field over the third-last, readily stretching away from the field as Thanksforthehelp (100/30) began to tread water. Ridden along after flying over two-out, Strackan once again moved further clear, producing another perfect leap at the last to secure a deserved victory, finished well clear of a staying-on Schalke and Plaisir Des Flos. Riding the crest of a wave at present, Daly also scored at Listed level recently with talented mare Wyenot!
Race 6 – IML Marine Management ‘Junior’ National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race) (Class 4, 3yo, 2m ½f)
Providing connections with a double on the day, Lancelot Allen (8/1) came home a gutsy winner of the finale, poking his head in front right on the line under Lorcan Williams to score on racecourse debut for Jane Williams. Latching onto the rear of the sextet, Lancelot Allen played a waiting game under Lorcan Williams in the sixth race, sitting alongside Sherminator (11/4) in the early stages as Bohemond Antioch (15/2) led the way. Travelling with ease entering the final half mile, Lancelot Allen quickly sauntered through the field to take a narrow lead around the home turn, chased out wide by Linalene (2/1F) entering the final two furlongs. Ridden along now in the clear, Lancelot Allen saw his race out well in the closing stages, staying on stoutly under strong pressure to hold off a fast-finishing Sherminator in the shadows of the post. A familiar sight in the winners’ enclosure, Lorcan Williams also took scored in the Dawn Run aboard Golden Ace at the Cheltenham Festival in March!
Race report by Adam Perkins
