Premier Hurdle Day provided a very competitive seven-race card in March 2025, the feature race opening the afternoon’s action in the Alfa Aggregates Products Handicap Hurdle (Class 2). A sunny day in Wales eventually saw ground conditions stated as Good on both hurdle and chase courses.
Race 1 – Alfa Aggregates Products Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Appreciating the return to the smaller obstacles, The Four Sixes (9/2) turned around his recent form in superb style when taking the opening race under Sean Bowen, coming 7 lengths clear at the line to score for the Olly Murphy yard. Setting the pace from the outset, Bowen was keen to provide The Four Sixes with an uncontested lead in the early stages, a lead that would continue into the second circuit as the field bunched up behind the leader on the approach to the final three flights. However, admirably game and appreciating the space out in front, The Four Sixes ultimately proved to be much too good for his rivals, his nearest pursuer Homme Public (8/1) eventually finishing around 7 lengths behind in second place at the line. Another winner for owners the McNeill & Stone Families, winning connections also had two Listed victories last month with Fingle Bridge and Califet En Vol!
Race 2 – Broxton Gates Handicap Hurdle (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Another to benefit from the drop down to hurdles, Too Cool Forshrule (11/8F) just did enough to back up his recent Market Rasen success when victorious in the second race, edging home in front for Henry Brooke and the Greenall-Guerriero stable. Always to the fore, Too Cool Forshrule either dictated or raced in second throughout Race 2, occupying front rank with course regular Rock Hurley (13/2) and travelling strongly under tender hands from his rider. Ridden along once challenged at the second-last, Too Cool Forshrule briefly looked to have some work to do to fend off Speiriuil (8/1) on the run to the last. However, staying on strongly, Too Cool Forshrule just did enough in the closing stages to leave an unlucky Regal And Royal (3/1) to fill the runner-up spot. A talented duo, Greenall & Guerriero also scored at the Cheltenham Festival last week with recent Bangor winner Jagwar!
Race 3 – Excel Signs Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 5yo+, 2m 1 ½f)
Relentless from the front, Orbys River (6/1) pulled off the ‘catch me if you can’ tactics perfectly when scoring in the third race, guided home by 2 ¾ lengths under Toby Wynne for trainer Sam Allwood. Nudged into an early lead Orbys River set a decent tempo for the majority of the third race, always in the ascendency as market leader Stick With Me Sam (5/4F) stalked in behind before taking a crumpling fall at the fourth-last. Quick to take advantage of his rival’s tumble, Toby Wynne pushed Orbys River into an even more established lead around the home turn, travelling much the best over the second-last fence as Neigh Botha (7/1) stayed on for pressure. Impressive over his obstacles, Orbys River settled the score stylishly in the final furlong, ridden out to make sure towards the line and bringing up trainer Sam Allwood’s second and Toby Wynne’s eleventh winner of the season!
Race 4 – Broxton Gates Handicap Chase (Class 5, 5yo+, 3m)
A lovely ride from Michael Nolan aboard Lazy Sunday (5/1) held the key to the fourth race, bringing his mount from last to first and going on to score by a commanding 12 lengths for Richard Mitford-Slade. Content to allow runaway leader Tedwin Hills (11/2) to set a brisk pace up front, Nolan kept
Lazy Sunday out of trouble at the back of the field through the first two miles of the contest, gradually making ground down the back straight before taking the lead four from home. Soon clear over the third-last obstacle, it was all too easy for Lazy Sunday after rounding the turn into the straight, the ultra-consistent veteran extending away and jumping with aplomb to record a very straightforward victory, leaving One Last Glance (14/1) well behind in second. Just two behind his personal best, Micheal Nolan has now ridden 37 winners this season at a strike-rate of 15%!
Race 5 – Voyager Camper Conversions Handicap Hurdle (Class 3, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Another front-runner who proved hard to pass, Andy Amo (7/2) led from pillar to post on his way to victory in the fifth race, forging clear to a 5-length success under Jamie Brace for trainer Rebecca Curtis. In a race decimated by non-runners, Jamie Brace took full advantage of an uncontested lead through the first circuit and a half, his mount not always jumping with fluency but readily maintaining a steady pace up top. Still travelling with ease at the head of affairs, Andy Amo remained fairly untroubled until a sticky jump at the second-last briefly handed High Game Royal (11/2) a chance. However, much slicker over the final obstacle, Andy Amo easily came clear again in the closing stages, ridden out under hands and heels to provide Rebecca Curtis with her second winner since her previous course winner Haiti Couleurs took the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival!
Race 6 – Bangor-On-Dee Wrexham Day On 12th April Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Causing a major upset, Ki Woo (13/2) proved far too good in Race 6 when scooting away in the closing stages by 8 ½ lengths, providing doubles for Messrs Wynne, Greenall, and Guerriero in the process. Close to the pace from the outset, Ki Woo was soon left in the lead after stablemate Carrig Kate (2/13F) slowed almost to a stop at the third flight, the usually consistent mare eventually found to be in season by the racecourse vets. Unfazed by his stablemate’s mishap, Ki Woo steadily took the field along down the far side of the track, challenged over three-out by Jomig Des Bois (8/1) as the remainder struggled to keep up. Always having the upper hand, Ki Woo soon saw off his nearest pursuer, the five-year-old impressive over the final two obstacles before coming comfortably clear to provide Greenall & Guerriero with their 52nd winner of the campaign: just five short of last season!
Race 7 – Bangor-On-Dee Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Not content with just the two winners, Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero fired in a third and final winner of the day with Kuzco (14/1) in the seventh race, the five-year-old gelding holding on by just ½ a length under Ben Smith at the finish. Held up in last race for much of the finale, Kuzco positioned himself alongside Best Life (13/2) through the two-mile point, Ben Smith happy enough to allow Ballyvaughan Bay (9/1) to set the pace. Taking closer order on the approach to three-out, Kuzco quickly looked to be moving much sweeter than many of his rivals around the home turn, squeezing through the pack to make his challenge on the outside. Ridden along but gradually making ground, Kuzco took full advantage of a blunder from Best Life at the last, powering home to secure Ben Smith’s tenth career victory: a jockey who also scored at last year’s Aintree Festival aboard El Jefe!
Race report by Adam Perkins
