A bumper eight-race card provided the entertainment for Countryside Day in April 2026. The two feature races (2:27pm & 4:10pm) showcased a couple of impressive winners, on a day where the weather was fair, and ground conditions were Good.
Race 1 – Broxton Gates Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
A useful sort on the flat, Alsakib (11/4) continued in good vein over hurdles when running out a six-length winner of the opener for Theo Gillard and Donald McCain. Making all from the outset, Alsakib had his own way of jumping but got from A to B safely enough on his way to recording his second victory in a row over hurdles. A former Group 3 winner on the flat, Alsakib could also represent winning connections in the Chester Cup at our sister track next month, a track where he broke his maiden in 2023!
Race 2 – Gieves & Hawkes Novices’ Handicap Chase (Class 5, 5yo+, 3m)
Improving massively for a first outing over fences, Huckleberry Sting (12/1) came home a tidy five-length winner of the second race for Jack Andrews and Tom Ellis. Waited with in rear, Huckleberry Sting was kept out of trouble for much of the contest, but after jumping three-out in a share of tenth, the 7-year-old gelding stayed on strongly down the home straight to lead over the last and kick clear in fine style. A career-best season for trainer & jockey, Ellis and Andrews have had over 60 winners between them in 2025-26!
Race 3 – Bangor-On-Dee Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
A team to be reckoned with, Nicky Henderson and Nico De Boinville combined for a taking ten-length victory in the third race, landing the spoils with Reckless Spending. Always to the fore, Reckless Spending dictated the pace alongside Park Princess (6/4) for the duration, and after locking horns with his closest rival around two furlongs from the finish, it was Reckless Spending who came out on top, kicking on in style to score for Mrs G Van Geest & M George, who also own dual Grade 2 winner Lucky Place!
Race 4 – Keegans Independent Drinks Suppliers Handicap Hurdle (Div I) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Placed here behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Idaho Sun in November, They Want Me (11/4) dismantled his opposition in the fourth race of the day, bringing up the double for Donald McCain and Theo Gillard. Another to race prominently, They Want Me sat in second place for much of the way, only challenging for the lead when reaching the home turn for the final time. Travelling strongly into the straight, the 6-year-old gelding soon hit top gear, stretching ten lengths clear in the final furlong to score for Mrs L McLennan, who also enjoyed Listed success here last year with the talented Diva Luna!
Race 5 – Keegans Independent Drinks Suppliers Handicap Hurdle (Div II) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
A three-way photo finish went the way of Las Canals (5/1) in Race 5, a superbly timed ride from Toby McCain Mitchell the difference between victory and defeat for trainers Greenall & Guerriero. Racing towards the back through the two-mile point, Las Canals moved up into a share of fourth place over the third-last, making rapid headway and moving sweetly around the home turn. Switched wide by McCain-Mitchell over two-out, Las Canals stayed on stoutly in the final furlong, gradually bridging the deficit to sneak ahead in the shadows of the post and provide his rider with a 33rd winner of the season!
Race 6 – Broxton Gates Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 5yo+, 2m 4 ½f)
Notching a quickfire double for the Greenall-Guerriero team, My Noble Lord (11/2) quickened away in style to prevail in the sixth race of the day under Toby Wynne. Sitting in mid-division and allowing Presentandcounting (18/1) to set a firm pace, My Noble Lord was ridden patiently throughout. However, after some bold leaps catapulted him into the lead over the third-last, My Noble Lord made no mistake, sprinting clear up the straight to score in emphatic style and secure Toby Wynne a 19th winner of the season!
Race 7 – Overton Handicap Hurdle (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Rounding off a treble for Donald McCain and Theo Gillard, Speed Davis (9/1) marked his first run in 4 ½ months with a victory when landing the seventh race in tidy fashion. Held up in rear division amongst a well-grouped field, Speed Davis was played late in the day by Theo Gillard, moving up into fourth place around the home turn. Switched out wide to challenge for the lead over two-out, the race was soon in the bag for Speed Davis, sticking on well in the closing stages to land his rider a 29th winner of the season!
Race 8 – Family Funday On 16th May “Junior” National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo, 2m ½f)
Improving for his recent debut under rules, Littlebobbydazzler (15/2) sparkled clear by 2 ¼ lengths to secure victory in the finale for Charlie Deutsch and Mel Rowley. Racing along the inside rail for much of the way, Littlebobbydazzler came under a drive around two furlongs out, struggling for room as Affinitive (10/1) led them in. However, finishing strongly when finding the gaps, Littlebobbydazzler kicked well clear under Deutsch in the final furlong, a jockey who also claimed two Grade 2s aboard Djelo earlier this term!
Race report by Adam Perkins
