The 2025 race season got off to a flyer at Bangor-On-Dee, with the third running of the North Wales National the main highlight of a popular opening fixture. Ground conditions remained Soft throughout the afternoon, with just five non-runners on a dry and overcast day in North Wales.
Race 1 – John Hewitt Memorial Open Hunters’ Chase (Class 4, 6yo+, 3m)
A talented handicap chaser in his heyday, Eva’s Oskar (6/1) rolled back the years to take the opening race by 1 ½ lengths for father-son combination Tim and Edward Vaughan. Leading from the outset, Eva’s Oskar jumped boldly out in front for the majority of the contest, racing a couple of lengths ahead of Williewonga (16/1) and Lord Du Mesnil (15/8F) in the main. Headed around the home turn after setting the pace, it looked for all money that Eva’s Oskar was set to be usurped by a smooth-travelling Williewonga. However, after a shuddering error at the last from Williewonga left Clara Brewitt hanging on by a thread, Eva’s Oskar found his second wind, staying on strongly in the final half furlong to score in style. Clearly back in the groove at this lower level, Eva’s Oskar also won a Grade 3 Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in 2022, holding off perennial bridesmaid Spiritofthegames!
Race 2 – Classic Additions Limited Mares’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 5yo+, 3m)
Finally rewarded for her consistent run of form this season, Lagonda (6/1) put up a smart front-running performance in the second race of the day, holding on bravely to score by ¾ of a length for Shane Quinlan and Venetia Williams. Towards the fore in the early stages, Lagonda was always up with the pace through the three-mile contest, followed closely for the most part by market leader Micks Jet (85/40f) and Gold Clermont (11/1) in the chasing vanguard. A race in which little changed in the running order, Lagonda still led the field upon reaching the home turn for the final time, ridden along to maintain the lead over two-out. Rallying strongly for pressure despite being challenged by Micks Jet up the straight, Lagonda kicked on again after the final obstacle, staying on stoutly to claim victory in the closing stages. A landmark season for Quinlan, the youngster took his biggest success to date last season aboard Fontaine Collonges in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby!
Race 3 – Corbett Sports North Wales National Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 5yo+, 3m 5 ½f)
Recording a first victory since November 2022, Laskalin (12/1) responded positively to first-time blinkers when taking the North Wales National in fine style for Venetia Willaims, bringing home the spoils by 1 ¼ lengths. Always up with the pace, Laskalin raced prominently from the outset under birthday girl Lucy Turner, disputing first place with former course winner Betterforeveryone (12/1) as The Big Breakaway (40/1) and Schalke (9/1) brought up the rear. Still leading over the third-last, Laskalin travelled much the best around the home turn, stretching a couple of lengths clear of a staying-on The Big Breakaway on the approach to two-out. Ridden along but hopping over the final two fences with aplomb, Laskalin stuck to his task willingly in the final furlong, and despite a late lunge from The Big Breakway, ultimately had too much in the tank. A team to be feared, Turner also scored for the same connections aboard Chambard in the 2022 Kim Muir and 2023 Becher Chase!
Race 4 – Ruabon EBF “National Hunt” Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race) (Class 3, 4-7yo, 2m ½f)
Already making a name for himself on the jumps scene, Laganhill (5/2) backed up his recent hurdle debut success with another fine performance in Race 4, galloping on powerfully down the home straight to score by 4 ½ lengths. Never too far away from the leaders, Laganhill split both Malnificent (8/1) and Paddys Policy (10/1) for the majority of the contest, the lead held by Big Ginge (4/5F) as the quartet stretched clear of the remainder over the third-last flight. Rounding the home turn, Laganhill travelled noticeably well behind Big Ginge, edging ahead of a ridden along Malnificent. Joining Big Ginge at two-out, Laganhill soon asserted on the run down to the last, coming a couple of lengths clear before sailing over the last and extending away to score impressively in the closing stages under a fine ride from Sam Twiston-Davies. Once again on the scoreboard at Bangor, Henry Daly also won here in December with Strackan, a horse that carries the same colours as Laganhill!
Race 5 – RW Hough & Sons Handicap Hurdle (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
Another to respond well to first-time blinkers, New Found Fame (6/1) scored at Bangor-On-Dee for the second time this season when a valiant winner of the fifth race, booted home to score by 1 ¾ lengths at the line. Always prominent, New Found Fame raced in fourth place through the opening mile and a half, the lead occupied by The Grafter (5/2F) and multiple course winner Feel The Pinch (12/1) as the field bunched up around the home turn. Carrying his head awkwardly and ridden along to challenge, New Found Fame moved into second place over two-out, ranging up to challenge The Grey Man (16/5) for the lead as the chasing pack followed in hot pursuit. Jumping it in second place, New Found Fame stayed on stoutly when ridden for more over the last, the nine-year-old taking charge in the final 100 yards to readily see off his challengers under Liam Harrison. Steadily making his mark over jumps, Liam Harrison has so far ridden over 100 hundred winners in his young career!
Race 6 – Wrexham Lager UK’s Oldest Lager Brewery Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Closing in on his 1000th winner in the saddle, Sean Bowen pulled out all the stops aboard Coastal Rock (3/1) in the sixth race, nursing his mount home to score by a comfortable 4 ½ lengths for the Olly Murphy team. Sitting in second place as Fresh Speculation (5/4F) set a sedate pace out in front, Coastal Rock plodded along in a well-bunched quartet through the two-mile point, followed closely by Visual Impact (5/1) and Miami Steve (3/1) as the four runners made their way towards the home straight for the final time. Ridden along to challenge for the lead before the second last flight, Coastal Rock quickly found his stride on the landing side, booted clear over the last to come home a stylish winner for trainer Olly Murphy. On track for a career best return, Murphy sits pretty on 98 winners this season, just four winners fewer than he achieved in the whole of the 2023-24 season!
Race 7 – Wrexham Lager Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Coming on a bundle for her handicap debut, Chosen Bae (14/1) ran out a determined winner of the final race for trainer Ryan Potter, holding on by a short head to take the spoils under a featherweight Jamie Brace. Held up towards the back of the pack, Chosen Bae was kept quiet for the duration of the finale, the field headed by Walkinthecotswolds (2/1F) and Prairie Queen (80/1) out wide on the run down the far side. Rapidly making headway over the third-last, Chosen Bae soon catapulted herself into a share of the lead around the home turn, travelling easily on the approach to the second-last as Miss Pearl (18/1) made a late bid down the centre of the track. Popping over neatly before fiddling her way over the final obstacle, Chosen Bae faced a strong challenge in the final furlong, chased all the way to the line by Sean Bowen aboard Miss Pearl before eventually clinging on in the dying strides. Matching his career-best season, Brace has now ridden 8 winners in 2024-25!
Race report by Adam Perkins
