Sunny skies provided the perfect backdrop for Bangor-On-Dee’s Gents Evening, with seven races on show to entertain a familiar crowd. The Good Luck Wrexham A.F.C Handicap Chase was the highlight of the meeting, with ground conditions Good To Soft in the main.
Race 1 – Bangor-On-Dee Gents Evening Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Justifying strong market support, I’m A Lumberjack (30/100F) ran out a very easy winner of Race 1, coasting home by 14 lengths under a cool Tom Cannon ride for winning trainer Alan King. Allowing early leader Kahavari (7/2) plenty of rope out in front, I’m A Lumberjack settled nicely in third place for the most part, only making a forward move on the leader over the third-last obstacle when the remainder of the field cried had enough. Travelling kindly on the bridle into the home straight, I’m A Lumberjack switched to the outside of Kahavari before the second-last, sweeping to the front in a matter of strides before powering clear and to leave his rivals trailing in his wake. A good few weeks for trainer and jockey, King and Cannon also scored at Ayr recently when Masaccio took the Listed Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase at Ayr!
Race 2 – Shane Brennan Is 50 Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 5yo+, 2m 4 ½f)
Maintaining his 100% record at Bangor-On-Dee, Hunter Legend (9/4F) comfortably saw off the opposition in Race 2, jumping boldly on his way to recording a 7-length victory for Charlie Deutsch and Venetia Williams. Starting off in mid-division, Hunter Legend gradually grew into the contest under Charlie Deutsch, never too far away from Grain d’Oudaries (5/1) in front rank as the remainder of the field raced closely in behind. Moving into second place three fences from home, Hunter Legend cantered all over his rivals around the home turn, taking a narrow lead from a ridden along Grain d’Oudaries with the final two fences in sight. Nudged clear and sailing over both obstacles with ease, Hunter Legend quickly had the race sewn up, scampering clear in the closing stages to secure Williams’ 40th and Deutch’s 42nd winner of the season!
Race 3 – Horse PWR Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Back to winning ways after flopping last time out, Glen Road (6/1) took the third race of the night in fine style under Peter Kavanagh, staying on strongly in the final furlong to score by 2 ¾ lengths for Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith. Racing towards the back initially, Peter Kavanagh played a patient game aboard Glen Road in the early stages, gradually creeping into midfield as Chatshow Host (33/1) led the way. Nudged along after the third-last as Sirekoff (7/2F) made headway, Glen Road briefly looked to be in trouble around the home turn, firmly off the bridle over the second-last flight. However, rallying well under pressure, Glen Road soon found his second wind in the final two furlongs, switching to the outside of Sirekoff before taking the lead over the last and battling on to provide Parkinson & Smith with their 27th winner of the season!
Race 4 – Good Luck Wrexham A.F.C Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3, 5yo+, 3m)
Making the trip over the Irish Sea all the more worthwhile, Digby (22/1) sprung a huge surprise when taking the feature race by a comfortable 6 lengths, delivered to perfection by Patrick O’Brien to score for Irish trainer Dermot McLoughlin. None too fluent through the first couple of miles, Digby gave his rider plenty to think about at the back of the field, racing lazily as Georges Saint (33/1) maintained the lead. Seemingly finding his feet after passing halfway, Digby made steady headway approaching the final three fences, followed closely on his inside by the well-fancied Konfusion (6/5F) as Georges Saint surrendered the advantage. In prime position and barely having a moment’s worry, Digby came to life in the home straight, travelling much the best before jumping the final two fences superbly and careering away up the run in to score for Dermot McLoughlin, who has trained two of the last five winners of the Irish Grand National!
Race 5 – Bangor-On-Dee Congratulates Champion Jockey Sean Bowen Handicap Hurdle (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
A former Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner, Bareback Jack (25/1) came right back to form in the fifth race of the night, quick and efficient over his hurdles before coming home 2 ¾ lengths to the good for Theo Gillard and Donald McCain. Always up with the pace, Bareback Jack settled in a share of second place through the opening mile and a half, racing alongside Celtic Art (15/2) as Waspy (5/1) led the field along. Challenging for the lead around the home turn, Bareback Jack looked to be moving well with two left to jump, quickly lengthening clear under Theo Gillard with Dance And Glance (5/1) in hot pursuit. Unwilling to give up the lead and jumping boldly over the last, Bareback Jack soon had the race in safe keeping, booted clear in the closing stages to secure Donald McCain’s second Bangor-On-Dee winner of the year!
Race 6 – Family Day Saturday 17th May Handicap Hurdle (Div I) (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Providing a double for trainer and jockey, Present Fair (14/1) stayed on strongly to take the sixth race, seeing off gallant stablemate Bellbird (9/1) by 2 ½ lengths for Peter Kavanagh and Donald McCain. Prominent throughout, Present Fair raced along the rail for much of the penultimate contest, travelling nicely behind two-time course winner Midnight Jewel (11/1) at the head of affairs. Taking the lead over four-out, Present Fair was tracked on the run towards the final three obstacles by stablemate Bellbird (9/1), the pair now looking the two most likely to have a say in the finish. Kicking a couple of lengths clear before two-out, it was hard work for Present Fair to maintain his lead in the home straight. However, responding well for Kavanagh’s urgings, the leader pulled out more in the final furlong, jumping the last with aplomb and staying on stoutly to provide the Donald McCain Racing Club with their fifth career winner at Bangor-On-Dee!
Race 7 – Family Day Saturday 17th May Handicap Hurdle (Div II) (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Rounding off a perfect night for Donald McCain, the local trainer struck again in the finale with course regular Rock Hurley (3/1), the 7-year-old grey recording a bloodless 14-length victory for William Maggs. Ever the proverbial front runner, Rock Hurley made all from the outset in Race 7, quickly granted an uncontested lead ahead of Proper Twelve (6/1) in second place and market leader Fat Harry (7/4F) in behind. Increasing the tempo on the approach to the third-last, Rock Hurley was soon left in a world of his own upon entering the home straight, scooting clear to record his first victory in Britain, and a first victory for owners Mr & Mrs G Calder and P M Warren since their Grade 2 scorer Cyrus Darius won his second Morebattle Hurdle in 2018!
Race report by Adam Perkins
