A celebration of music and racing proved to be the perfect combination for the 2025 Summer Music Meet at Bangor-On-Dee. The feature race came in the Castle Mews Windows Novices’ Handicap Chase, with ground conditions Good throughout the day.
Race 1 – Bangor-On-Dee Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
A four-time winner on the flat, Solent Gateway (5/4JF) recorded his first win over hurdles for Donald McCain in the first race of the day, driven clear to score by 2 ¾ lengths under Brian Hughes. Keen to make all, Solent Gateway was guided into the lead from the outset by Hughes, setting a moderate pace out in front as Ilostasock (150/1) headed the chasing pack. Despite jumping slightly left throughout, Solent Gateway continued to dictate matters by the time the field rounded the home turn for the final time, and although a stern challenge from Herja (5/4JF) at two-out briefly threatened to spoil things, Solent Gateway battled on well to score. A smart stayer on the flat, Solent Gateway also scored at our sister track Chester Racecourse in 2021!
Race 2 – Castle Mews Windows Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 5yo+, 2m 4 ½f)
Jumping boldly from the front, Sovereign Star (11/1) denied all comers to take the second race of the afternoon, staying on well under Theo Gillard to score by 2 lengths and secure a double for Donald McCain. Maintaining the gallop at the head of affairs, Sovereign Star made virtually all in Race 2, leading the way ahead of Full Monty (7/2) in second place, with Baskerville (6/5F) and Lune De La Mer (9/4) completing the field in behind. Jumping slightly right but still in front over three-out, Sovereign Star was soon headed and ridden along around the home turn, now chasing the tail of Full Monty. However, after a crashing fall from the new leader offered a second bite of the cherry, Sovereign Star took full advantage, staying on best of all under Theo Gillard to record a third Bangor winner of the season for local training legend Donald McCain!
Race 3 – SG Estates Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 5yo+, 2m 1 ½f)
Building on a recent win at Huntingdon, Finest View (11/10F) put in a solid round of jumping to take the feature race, sauntering 7 ½ lengths clear at the line to land the spoils for Alan King and Tom Cannon. Sitting his mount in fourth place for the duration, Tom Cannon played a patient game aboard Finest View, racing around a length behind God’s Own Getaway (11/4) as Sir Tivo (9/2) led the way. Making ground over three-out, Finest View looked to be travelling notably well around the final turn, still on the bridle approaching two-out. Ridden along but willingly finding for pressure, Finest View soon took the race by the scruff of the neck, hopping over the final two fences before kicking clear in tidy style. Owners with a knack for finding smart mares, Pitchall Stud Partnership also won two Listed races in 2019 with Midnights’ Gift and Giving Glances!
Race 4 – Going Is Good Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
Finally off the mark under rules, Hope Hill (9/2) ran out a game winner of the fourth race under Peter Kavanagh, staying on readily in the final furlong to score by 3 ¾ lengths for trainers Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith. A keen-going sort, Hope Hill raced enthusiastically through the opening mile and a half, positioned towards the inside rail by his jockey as Guillaume (11/4F) and Blazer Two (12/1) fought for the lead. Suffering traffic problems after the third-last, it didn’t look to be going to plan for Hope Hill around the home turn, still travelling strongly but struggling to find a gap. However, finding room after jumping the second-last, Hope Hill showed plenty of grit in the final furlong, taking the lead over the last before powering clear towards the line. Enjoying a fine start to the season, Parkinson and Smith are currently operating at a whopping 60% strike-rate!
Race 5 – Clwyd Special Riding Centre Handicap Hurdle (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Never out of the first two when completing at Bangor, Lipa K (15/8F) added a third course win to his CV when successful in Race 5, holding on by a neck under Henry Brooke for the Greenall-Guerriero team. Racing towards the back of a well-bunched field, Lipa K was still fairly handy for much of the race, sitting a couple of lengths behind pacesetter Speed Davis (9/1) as Gwash (40/1) brought up the rear. Taking closer order down the far side of the track, Lipa K made eye-catching headway after jumping three-out, sweeping through the field to lead over the second-last. Jumping awkwardly and landing on all fours, Lipa K soon had his mettle tested when Al Sayah (11/4) lay down her challenge, the pair now locked in battle. However, keeping on well where it mattered, Lipa K just did enough to last home in the closing stages, fending off a host of fast-finishing rivals to land Henry Brooke a well-deserved third winner of the season!
Race 6 – Ladies Day On Saturday 21st June Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Successful here on her last start, Heather Honey (7/2) repeated the feat in tidy style when taking the finale, finishing 3 ¾ lengths clear at the finish to provide Peter Kavanagh, Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith with a double on the day. Saving ground up the inside rail, Heather Honey was well positioned by Peter Kavanagh throughout Race 6, towards the forefront of the chasing pack as Chatshow Host (20/1) spearheaded the field. Switched to the outside of Newmill Getaway (15/8F) with just two flights to jump, Heather Honey travelled smoothly into contention upon entering the straight, swinging away on the bridle as her rivals began to tread water. Joining issue over two-out, victory was soon an inevitability for Heather Honey, the in-form mare striking the front and galloping on resolutely to record a second course victory in a row. An owner with 15 winners last year, Mrs S Smith is now 3 from 4 already this season!
Race report by Adam Perkins
