Making its first appearance since 2022, Countryside Day made a welcome return to Bangor-On-Dee in November 2024. Both the Yorton Mares’ Novices’ Chase (Listed) and Portek Limited Handicap Chase (Class 2) provided two excellent features on a stellar eight-race card, with ground conditions ranging between Good To Soft and Soft throughout a sunny afternoon in North Wales.
Race 1 – Paul Ferguson Jumpers To Follow Handicap Chase (Class 3, 4yo+, 2m 4 ½f)
Recording his second consecutive victory over fences, Jagwar (5/2) ran out a stylish winner of Race 1, weaving his way through the field to score by 3 lengths for Jonjo O’Neill Jr and the local Greenall-Guerriero stable. Racing towards the inside rail, Jagwar settled nicely in midfield for the majority of the contest, a couple of lengths behind early leaders Lord Of Cheshire (12/1) and the well-punted Lowry’s Bar (9/4F) as the field made their way over the third-last. Still behind a wall of horses around the turn into the straight, Jagwar looked to have plenty of work to do on the approach to the second-last fence. However, nudged along over it and gradually making headway, Jagwar soon had matters in hand on the run towards the final obstacle, readily closing to within a length of Lowry’s Bar upon jumping it, before powering home to score in imperious fashion under Jonjo. A group of connections with some serious firepower, Greenall/Guerriero & JP McManus also have Iroko amongst their ranks!
Race 2 – Yorton Mares’ Novices’ Chase (Listed) (For The Richard Aston Memorial Trophy) (GBB Race) (Class 1, 4yo+, 2m 1 ½f)
Despite some iffy jumping leaving her out the back, Shecouldbeanything (7/2) toughed it out in the second race of the day to gain her fourth victory on the spin, bringing home the spoils by 1 ¾ lengths for Gordon Elliott and Sean Bowen. Taking a while to warm to her task, Shecouldbeanything raced a long way off leaders Party Vibes (16/1) and You Wear It Well (5/4F) through the opening mile and a half, only able to overtake one rival before reaching the fourth fence from home. Pushed along over three-out, Shecouldbeanything looked to be out of the reckoning as the field headed for home, Casa No Mento (6/1) now looking likely to pose the biggest threat to the leaders. However, as the pace began to slacken out in front, Shecouldbeanything suddenly appeared to be gaining ground with every stride, gliding past Casa No Mento between the final two fences to take aim at You Wear It Well. Sailing over boldly, Shecouldbeanything proved to be much more resolute in the closing stages, willingly kicking clear in the final 100 yards to win going away. A star purchase, Shecouldbeanything has now recorded four Listed victories and a Grade 3 in the past year for her owner M J Hanrahan!
Race 3 – Portek Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2, 4yo+, 3m)
Winning first time up for the second year in a row, Celebre d’Allen (15/2) proved that age was just a number in the Portek Limited Handicap Chase, the evergreen 12-year-old coming home a smooth 5-length winner under Callum Pritchard for the Hobbs-White stable. Situated in rear division for much of the feature race, Celebre d’Allen kept his powder dry through the first circuit, the field taken along by leading fancies Autonomous Cloud (18/5F) and Shan Blue (13/2) at the head of affairs. Gradually making headway down the far side of the track, Celebre d’Allen was smuggled into the thick of it on the approach to the third-last fence, now with just a couple of lengths to find as Shan Blue led over it. Sneaking up the inside rail to challenge the leader, Celebre d’Allen soon looked to be travelling best of all, swinging into the straight to lead over the second-last. Galloping on strongly, Celebre d’Allen was not for catching in the closing stages, bounding clear over the final fence to score readily ahead of Pull Again Green (5/1) in second. Always a strong race, today’s feature handicap chase was won in 2022 by Le Milos, a top stayer who also won the Coral Gold Cup (Grade 3) on his next start!
Race 4 – Wynnstay EBF Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 3yo, 2m ½f)
A day after their first success at Hereford, French-based trainers Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm struck again with the aptly named Do It Again (10/11F) in Race 4 at Bangor, the winner edging home by ¾ of a length under Michael O’Sullivan. Leading from the outset, Do It Again set a modest tempo through the early stages of the contest, followed closely by Adaay Forever (18/1) and Aotano (8/1) as Red N Yellow (100/30) took a keen hold in fourth place. Whilst many of his rivals came off the bridle down the far side of the track, Do It Again still travelled strongest of all after jumping the third-last, holding sway by just under a length as Aotano moved up to challenge towards two-out. Pecking on landing and soon off the bridle, Do It Again briefly looked to be in trouble on the run towards the last. However, despite clouting the final flight, the leader found extra when he needed it, staying on stoutly to hold off Red N Yellow in second place. No strangers to success in the UK, George & Zetterholm were also successful in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase with Il Est Francais in 2023!
Race 5 – Field & Falcon Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
Overcoming a stumble at the final flight, Junker d’Allier (4/6F) ran out a most impressive winner of the fifth race, scooting 6 ½ lengths clear to provide yet another victory for Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen. Setting out in third place, Junker d’Allier raced prominently for the duration of the fifth race, never more than a couple of lengths behind early leader Cher Monsieur (200/1). Taking over the lead at the fifth obstacle, Junker d’Allier travelled strongly under Bowen, kicking over three lengths clear as he led the field over the third flight from home. Hard on the bridle rounding the final turn, victory soon looked a formality for Junker d’Allier, with Joltin N Jiving simply unable to keep tabs on the leader. Although untidy over the last, Junker d’Allier easily put the race to bed in the final furlong, with Joltin N Jiving and Theatre Tom (33/1) settling for minor money as the winner sauntered clear towards the line. A partnership on the rise, Murphy and Bowen both recorded over 100 winners each last season, the pair also combining to score in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle with Strong Leader!
Race 6 – Field & Falcon Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
Taking full advantage of being left in front over the last, Gentleman Bill (13/2) returned a gutsy winner of the sixth race under Henry Brooke, sneaking a short head in front at the line to notch a double for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. Always up with the pace, Gentleman Bill moved well in third place through the opening mile, racing alongside Doctor Kildare (13/8F) as Oh My Johnny (11/2) led the field through halfway. Moving up to challenge for the lead over three-out, Gentleman Bill and Oh My Johnny came clear around the home turn, the pair chased by a staying on I’m A Lumberjack (9/4) as they negotiated the second-last. Now under firm pressure as Oh My Johnny extended a couple of lengths clear, Gentleman Bill looked beaten on the run up to the last. However, after a stumble on landing left Oh My Johnny on the floor, Gentleman Bill gratefully accepted the lead, battling well at the finish to fend off I’m A Lumberjack in albeit rather fortunate circumstances. After another productive start, Henry Brooke now sits pretty on 30 winners for the 2024-25 season!
Race 7 – Weatherbys And Birdie Calendars Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2, 3yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
A useful horse on his day, Might I (7/2F) rewarded strong market support to take the seventh race in determined style, fending off the unlucky Aston Martini (5/1) by ¾ of a length to score for Bryan Carver and trainer Harry Fry. Backed into favouritism shortly before the off, Might I took things easy through the opening circuit of the contest, settling towards the rear of midfield as Lemencello (12/1) raced keenly out in front ahead of West To The Bridge (11/1). Nudged along before three-out as Aston Martini (5/1) moved up to challenge for the lead, Might I looked to be going nowhere fast under Bryan Carver, pushed along to keep tabs on the leading pair as they made their way towards the home turn. However, responding well for pressure and staying on out wide, Might I soon got to within a length of Aston Martini over the second-last, and having jumped the final flight much cleaner than his opponent, went on to win a shade cosily at the finish. A first win of the season for Brian & Sandy Lambert, the winning owners are also responsible for talented chaser Boothill!
Race 8 – Overton Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Benefitting from the late mistake of long-time leader Carrig Kate (3/1) at the last, Beaufort Scale (2/1) stayed on strongly under James Bowen to steal the finale by just a neck, providing trainer Gordon Elliott with a double on the day. Sitting in fourth place for the first couple of miles, Beaufort Scale settled nicely under James Bowen, racing in the slipstream of Carrig Kate as Subtle Fortune (25/1) spearheaded the field. Travelling well enough after negotiating the third flight from home, Beaufort Scale gradually made ground on new leader Carrig Kate around the turn into the straight, the pair now pulling away from Minella Rescue (15/8F) heading over two-out. Still with a couple of lengths to find on the leader, it didn’t look all that good for Beaufort Scale on the run between the final two flights. However, after a stuttering mistake at the last halted the momentum of Carrig Kate, Beaufort Scale seized the opportunity, staying on smartly to steal victory from the jaws of defeat. Just 7 winners away from equalling last season’s tally, Bowen has now ridden 45 winners this season!
Race report by Adam Perkins
