Another fruitful day for the Skelton brothers proved to be the main headline from Easter Egg Chase Day, the pair successful in three of the day’s six races! Ground conditions remained Good (Good to Soft in places) throughout the afternoon.
Race 1 – Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk EBF Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo, 2m ½f)
A most impressive winner of a very eventful opening race, Planters Punch (13/8F) readily made it two-from-two under Nico de Boinville, powering clear by 15 lengths to land the spoils for Nicky Henderson. Racing enthusiastically throughout, Planters Punch was clever enough to avoid being brought down at the fourth-last, with a fall from Masterfield (50/1) causing chaos in behind. Left in a clear lead, Planters Punch was soon in a league of his own around the home turn, galloping on strongly to extend away from Crack Ops (5/2) and land Nicky Henderson his 75th winner of the 2025/26 season!
Race 2 – Xenon Workplace Handicap Hurdle (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Rapidly improving for the application of a tongue strap, Coumeenoole (15/8F) came home a comfortable winner of the second race, scoring by 2 ¾ lengths for Dan & Harry Skelton. A smooth traveller, Coumeenoole was kept to the outer for much of the way under Harry Skelton, racing alongside Daly Boy (8/1) before making a bid for the lead after the third-last. Jumping well and rounding the turn easily, Coumeenoole merely had to be shaken up in the final furlong, kicking away smartly to provide a winner for The Blind Squirrels, who also took a Listed prize with the Skeltons in 2019 with Azzuri!
Race 3 – Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
Pulling off a remarkable performance, Halftheworldaway (10/11F) repeated his recent course victory with another one in today’s third race, finishing 3 lengths clear under Toby Wynne for the Greenall-Guerriero yard. In a sustained duel with Roses All The Way (13/8) from the outset, Halftheworldaway and his opponent readily put more than 20 lengths between themselves and the opposition, leaving the remainder with little to no chance from an early stage. Rounding the final bend, both leaders were under pressure to maintain their positions, but pulling out more in the final furlong, Halftheworldaway just had enough in the tank to take Greenall & Guerriero to 40 winners for the season!
Race 4 – HRS Cladding Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 5yo+, 2m 4 ½f)
Recording a second winner of the day for connections, Palamon (1/1F) proved to be yet another improver for Dan & Harry Skelton when taking the fourth race by a cosy 3 ½
lengths. Never too far away from the principals, Palamon was kept to the inside rail for much of the contest, travelling sweetly despite jumping right throughout. Nursing his mount into the race from three-out, Skelton delivered Palamon perfectly in the home straight, latching onto the coattails of Blue d’Enfer (16/1) over the last before striding home impressively down the rail to bring up a 112th winner of the season for the jockey!
Race 5 – Uncommon Practice Handicap Chase (Class 5, 5yo+, 3m)
A yard in good form, Christian Williams enjoyed his 22nd winner of the season when Three Zambezi’s (5/4F) got off the mark in the fifth race, staying on stoutly to score by 3 lengths under Jack Tudor. Kept quiet in mid-division, Three Zambezi’s stayed out of trouble throughout the 3-mile contest, weaving his way through the pack to challenge the leaders approaching the home turn. Travelling strongly and taking a narrow lead into the straight, Three Zambezi’s was soon in the ascendancy, responding well to secure a first win at Bangor-On-Dee since Tout Regulier in 2012 for owner George Moore!
Race 6 – Tom Jones Live At Chester Racecourse Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Rounding off a perfect day for favourite backers, Service Minimum (8/15F) returned to form in fine style when landing the treble for the Skelton brothers, holding on to land the finale by 1 ¼ lengths. Racing towards the back, Hary Skelton played the waiting game aboard Service Minimum through the opening 2 miles, gradually making headway only upon entering the final half mile. Travelling much the best with two to jump, Service Minimum soon had the race in safe keeping, readily overtaking Nevershedatear (16/1) a furlong out, coming clear to win a shade cosily for the soon-to-be Champion Trainer!
Race report by Adam Perkins
