A wide margin victory for Kapga De Lily in the 25th Malise Nicolson Novices’ Handicap Chase (Div 1) kicked off the day’s action on an autumnal afternoon at Bangor-on-Dee. The lightly raced seven-year-old, on just her eight-career start, made easy work of the competition under Charlie Deutsch who guided her through the field to take the lead turning the home bend. She wasn’t for catching as the Ventia Williams runner, whose horses always tend to find form on the softer ground, passed the post eight lengths clear of her nearest pursuer, Volcano, who stayed on gamely in the closing stages.
The second division of the 25th Malise Nicolson Novices’ Handicap Chase went the way of the Tom George trained Tribesmans Glory. In almost copybook fashion of the previous division, Jonathan Burke held his hooded partner at the rear of the field, before coming to dispute the lead two from home. The race was quickly put to bed before the last, with the pair pulling even further clear on the run in, to record the geldings’ first success since winning an Irish Point to Point in 2018.
Miss Amelia scored her second impressive course and distance victory in the Swanswaygarages.com Proud to Sponsor Oliver Greenall Racing Handicap Chase. Trained by Mark Walford in North Yorkshire, the mare backed up her 17-length win at the track last December, with an equally easy 12-length success when seeing off her nine rivals in game fashion under Henry Brooke.
Five runners went to post in the Oliver Greenall Racing Supporting Malpas Businesses Intermediate Chase. The odds on favourite Good Boy Bobby, justified favouritism under Daryl Jacob, as he saw off the challenge of Antunes and Harry Skelton in the closing stages on his seasonal reappearance. Now carrying the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the eight-time winner was last seen in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices Chase at Sandown in February and is clearly an exciting prospect for some high class chases this winter.
Llandinabo Lad claimed his first career victory in the ocg-syndicates.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle for Herefordshire based Tom Symonds. On just his fourth racecourse appearance, after a 332-day break and a wind operation, the son of Malinas was prominent for the duration of the race and proved best of the bunch when pulling clear between the last two flights under James Nixon for owners Celia & Michael Baker.
There was a pillar to post victory for Dalaman and Mr Peter Bryan in the Enjoy Ownership at Stockton Hall Handicap Hurdle. The nine-year-old, who wore blinkers for the first time, clearly appreciated the underfoot conditions, which had been officially changed to heavy before the off. Trained by Rebecca Curtis, Dalaman relished every yard on his first try at the trip and even though approached by the pack on the home turn, he eventually finished unchallenged, 11 lengths clear of his nearest rival Frisco Bay who could never get on terms.
Henry Brooke rode his second winner of the afternoon as he guided Mint Condition to victory in the Smartplanner App Sponsors Oliver Greenall Racing Handicap Hurdle. The combination tracked the leaders for most of the race, before challenging Morning Spirit two from home. The winner easily pulled clear to record his first career win, with Morning Spirit being passed by Exploiteur who ran on well close home. The six-year-old finished behind subsequent Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Shishkin back in February and looks progressive for Jennie Candlish, who’s horses always tend to run well at the North Wales track.
There was a father and son victory for Jonjo O’Neill and Jonjo O’Neill Jnr in the finale as Pressure Sensitive landed the Oliver Greenall Racing Thanks Bangor on Dee Standard Open NH Flat Race. It was a game performance from the four-year-old, who faced a strong challenge from fellow debutant Mexico down the home straight. The pair pulled a mile clear of the third and both look promising prospects for their respective yards.
The next meeting at Bangor-on-Dee will take place on Wednesday 11 November. This fixture will be run behind closed doors but will be available to watch live on Sky Sport Racing.
