Pink Legend kicked off the afternoon’s action on Saturday 28th November, when overturning the odds-on favourite, Stolen Silver in the Download the Tote Placepot App Bangor Bet Beginners’ Chase. The only mare in the field, was seemingly under pressure turning in, but reeled in the long-time leader and favourite between the wings of the second last fence before staying on strongly to win on her chasing debut under Charlie Deutsch for trainer Venetia Williams and owner Francis Mahon.
There was a number of firsts for Est Illic, who on his first run for trainer Sarah-Jayne Davies recorded his first win under rules when taking the Maelor Handicap Chase. Under a positive ride from Jordan Nailor, the combination never saw a rival, leading from pillar to post, comfortably finishing six lengths clear of his nearest pursuer Duhallow Lad.
Tea Time On Mars relished the three mile trip in the Tote.co.uk Home Of The Placepot Handicap Chase. The long journey from their base in Devon was worth it for mother and daughter, trainer and jockey combination, Sue and Lucy Gardner, as the eight-year-old fended off challenges from Checkitout and Un Prophete in the closing stages to win comfortably by just over two lengths.
Another family affair in the fourth race came when Guard Your Dreams sauntered to victory in the Adrefelyn National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies. Hooded for the first time, the odds-on favourite, appearing at Bangor-on-Dee for the third time, made all to record his second win from just four career starts, for owners Graham and Alison Jelley. The remainder of the field came home at wide intervals, with Barrichello 10 lengths second and Here Comes Johny a further six lengths behind to be third.
It was a quick-fire double for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies as Took The Lot justified his odds on favouritism and was another impressive winner for the Cotswolds based team. Under a seven-pound penalty for his win at the track 17 days previously, the six-year-old was always travelling comfortably and easily pulled clear between the final two flights, leaving Pennyforapound chasing in vain six lengths behind.
Rollercoster landed the spoils of the Burling Family Ltd Training Series Conditional Jockeys’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle after a mammoth 523 day layoff. Held in midfield by Liam Harrison for the majority of the two circuits of Bangor-on-Dee, the pair came with their challenge at the second last flight when the mare only needed slight persuasion to skip clear before the last and record the young jockey’s 12th career success under rules, in turn marking a fine training performance by Michael Scudamore for owner Mark Dunphy.
The concluding race of the day saw a host of horses making their racecourse debuts. The only runner with previous racecourse experience was the eventual winner Flann, who improved from finishing seventh at Hereford at the start of the month. Even though headed a furlong from home, he rallied gamely under Lilly Pinchin to get up under the shadow of the post to deny Gentle River and Macfin winning debuts.
The next fixture at Bangor-on-Dee is on Friday 11th December. This meeting will be held Behind Closed Doors but will be available to watch live on Sky Sports Racing.
