The Read Ben Curtis’ Blog Weekly At Betsafe Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle started proceedings on the second of the two day fixture at Bangor-on-Dee. The promising Wynn House took the honours in taking style as she was pushed out to win untroubled by six lengths under Tom Cannon. Get In Robin and Brian Hughes ensured the race was a good test but were ultimately brushed aside and faded into sixth behind the Alan King trained winner.
Up next was the competitive Betsafe Supports Safer Gambling Week Novices’ Handicap Chase. Brian Hughes took his familiar position at the head of affairs aboard Court Jurado and remained in pole position until the last when joined from all angles. Sir Tivo came with what looked like a winning run until a late swoop from the mare Velvet Voice and jockey Ciaran Gethings put her in front at the finish to claim victory for Stuart Edmunds.
The first division of the Betsafe Leading Over The Last Free Bet Maiden Hurdle went the way of Guard Your Dreams. An early steady pace saw Presentandcounting tug his way into an eight-length lead going out on the final circuit. This soon strung out the field, with only the winner managing to reel in the leader turning for home. The son of Fame And Glory soon edged clear to win nicely on his hurdling debut for father and son combination Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies for owners Graham and Alison Jelley. Both the first and second look useful as the pair pulled over twenty lengths clear of the third.
Chazza landed a double for jockey Ciaran Gethings in the second division of the Maiden Hurdle for trainer Kim Bailey. The six-year-old lead enthusiastically until he was joined and passed by the Charlie Longsdon trained Maninsane at the second last. Chazza however wouldn’t be beaten and battled on gamely to pass Maninsane and Paul O’Brien in the shadows of the post to win over hurdles at the third time of asking.
There was a romp in the Betsafe Racing From Over 40 Countries Handicap Chase as Thomas Shelby cruised to victory for trainer Caroline Bailey. Always handy and travelling strongly, the nine-year-old went clear from Marble Moon on the home bend to record a twelve-length victory under the former champion Richard Johnson, duly stringing out the rest of the field in the process.
The persistent rain had had a considerable effect on the ground for the Betsafe Racing From Over 40 Countries Handicap Chase, but proved no problem for Noel Williams’ recruit Twin Star. The chestnut gelding was given a positive pillar to post ride by regular rider Paddy Brennan. The combination kicked clear two out, and after a guess at the last, Brennan was able to ease his mount on the run in for an easy success.
Vocaliser backed up his win at the track in August to take the Read Donald Mccain’s Blog At Betsafe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase under Fergus Gregory. The odds-on favourite made smart progress throughout the contest and confidently strode clear when asked to win by an easy six lengths. Grand Coureur stayed on strongly in the closing stages to take second.
The concluding race of the two-day meeting was taken by smart debutant Red Maple. The four-year-old son of Sholokhov took a lead on his first racecourse appearance, but put the race to bed nicely when ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr to beat the favourite Glimpse Of Gala who responded under pressure but failed to get on terms.
The next meeting at Bangor-on-Dee is on Tuesday 27 October. This fixture will be run behind closed doors but will be available to watch live on Sky Sport Racing.
