Local businesses and racegoers alike were treated to a competitive seven-race card in September 2026 for Bangor-On-Dee’s North Wales Business Day. The feature came in the Goffs Yorton Sale 10th September Handicap Chase (Class 2), with going conditions confirmed as Good throughout an exciting afternoon.
Race 1 – North Wales Business Day Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
A talented chaser on his day, Hoe Joly Smoke (13/8F) got off the mark over hurdles in fine style when landing the opener by 1 ¾ lengths for the Skeltons. Leading from the outset, Hoe Joly Smoke set a modest tempo under Harry Skelton, racing a couple of lengths in front of Iamyouare (4/7F) for much of the way. Travelling smoothly with two to jump, Hoe Joly Smoke pressed home the advantage in the closing stages, and after two neat jumps, the leader merely had to be pushed out to score. Synonymous with classy chasers, owners Babbitt Racing also owned former Grade 3 winner Coo Star Sivola!
Race 2 – Genesis Wealth Management Novices’ Handicap Chase (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 4 ½f)
Not content with one winner, the Skeltons were at it again in the second race courtesy of Delgany Second Now (4/9F), who came home to score by an impressive 5 lengths. Always prominent, Delgany Second Now raced in a share of second place through the opening circuit, allowing Soldier In Mayo (4/1) to set the pace up front. Nudged along but moving best of all, Delgany Second Now made his move after jumping the second-last, and although the pair briefly bumped into each other approaching the last, Harry Skelton’s mount had plenty in reserve to see off his rivals. A seventh winner in two years for Mrs Rachel Wilson, the winning owner is operating at a 33% strike-rate for 2026-27!
Race 3 – Goffs Yorton Sale 10th September Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2, 4yo+, 3m)
Making up for an untimely unseat on his last run, Tamarind Bay (5/4F) ran out a stylish winner of the third race, jumping nicely on the way to a 4-length victory for James and Mickey Bowen. A smooth traveller, Tamarind Bay caught the eye from a long way out in the second race, negotiating his fences with aplomb to help keep close tabs on early leader Presentandcounting (5/1). Moving up into second over four-out, Tamarind Bay moved with menace on the run towards the final three obstacles, soon finding himself in front around the turn into the straight. After negotiating each fence in fine style, Tamarind Bay soon came clear to secure a 15th winner of the season for James Bowen!
Race 4 – DU Construction Handicap Hurdle (Class 3, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Building on a promising run on his previous start, Ernest Gray (9/4F) recorded his seventh career victory when taking the fourth race by 3 ¼ lengths for Tom Cannon and Alan King. Never far away from pacesetter Roger Pol (9/2), Ernest Gray raced in snatched through the second circuit, nudged along with four left to jump. Although hard ridden around the home turn, Ernest Gray soon found himself challenging for the lead entering the final quarter mile, kicking three lengths clear of the chasing pack as Roger Pol came under pressure. Taking over with a fine leap at the second-last, Ernest Gray was just as nimble over the final obstacle and eventually came clear to win a shade cosily for owner Andy Peake, whose Sans Bruit has twice won the Red Rum at Aintree!
Race 5 – Kinsey Anniversary Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 5, 3yo+, 2m ½f)
A wind operation and cheekpieces seemed to do the trick for Race 5 winner Prettylady (16/1), the 4-year-old scoring readily by 2 ¾ lengths for Jack Tudor and the Greenall-Guerriero team. Travelling strongly throughout the contest, Prettylady was right in amongst it through the opening mile and a half, never more than a couple of lengths behind market leader Jammy Jay (EvsF). Making smooth headway passing the three-furlong marker, Prettylady raced hard on the bridle in the closing stages, and after a couple of tidy leaps, the new leader bounded clear to record a very taking victory. Enjoying a fine year, Greenall & Guerriero now have 10 Bangor-On-Dee winners in 2026!
Race 6 – Lexus Wrexham Open 2026 Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 3m)
Consistent in recent months, Limerick Leader (17/2) got back on the scoresheet when running out a smooth winner of Race 6, keeping on nicely to score by 3 lengths for James Bowen and Nick Scholfield. Keen to make all from an early stage, Limerick Leader was true to his name through the opening couple of miles, controlling the pace ahead of Royal Time (18/1). Jumping boldly, Limerick Leader still held an advantage of a couple of lengths by the time the field made it into the final quarter mile, and although challenged for the lead over the second-last, the leader had just enough in the tank to hold off Depalma (3/1) and provide Nick Scholfield with his 11th winner of the season!
Race 7 – Sun Racing Summer Jumps Championship Handicap Hurdle (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
A winner last time out, Ballynoe Boy (3/1JF) justified market support to land a second win in a row when landing the finale, coming home by a stylish 5 lengths for Danny McMenamin and Nicky Richards. Always to the fore, Ballynoe Boy raced in second for much of the way, content to allow Faded Fantasy (40/1) to set a modest early gallop. Making on the leader before three-out, Ballynoe Boy looked to have plenty in hand over his rivals, sneaking around the outside as Cawthorne Cracker (15/2) gave chase. Kicking off the home turn into a 2-length lead, Ballynoe Boy was soon away and gone in the final furlong, sauntering clear to land a 10th winner of the season for Nicky Richards!
Race report by Adam Perkins
