Twilight racing returned to Bangor-On-Dee in September 2026, with six races tricky contests for racegoers to unravel. The feature race of the day came in the John Hewitt Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3), where Captain Cool more than lived up to his name. Ground conditions were Good throughout the day.
Race 1 – Twilight Racing On The Dee Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 5yo+, 2m 4 ½f)
First-time blinkers proved to be the winning formula for Duel Au Soleil (15/8F) in the opening contest, running out a cosy 5-length winner for Ben Jones and Ben Pauling. Always prominent, Duel Au Soleil raced in second place through the opening two miles, never more than a couple of lengths behind pacesetter Jiair Madrik (11/4). Jumping well and nudges up to challenge the leader around the home turn, Duel Au Soleil soon quickened clear over the two-out, and after negotiating the last safely, the new leader bounded away to score decisively. A team on the rise, Jones and Pauling also won the Golden Miller at this year’s Cheltenham Festival with Meetmebythesea!
Race 2 – John Hewitt Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3, 5yo+, 2m 1 ½f)
A horse in flying form, Captain Cool (10/11F) notched his fifth win of the year when successful in Race 2, coming home by an eased down 1 ¼ lengths for Sean Quinlan and Jennie Candlish. Lurking behind early leader Krak (5/2) for much of the way, Captain Cool occupied second position all the way down to the third-last obstacle, challenging for the lead around the final turn as Roadlesstravelled (7/2) made ground in behind. Travelling much the best despite a tendency to hang, Captain Cool stayed on stoutly down the home straight, negotiating the final two obstacles well enough to maintain a winning advantage and secure an 18th winner of the season for trainer Jennie Candlish!
Race 3 – Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
Successful on hurdles debut in May, Hidden Fortune (5/4F) made it three in a row for favourite backers when landing the third race, coasting home by 6 lengths for Harry and Dan Skelton. Racing in a share of third place, Hidden Fortune had plenty of ground to make up on runaway leaders Provision (85/40) and Cadillac Ranch (28/1) for much of the race. However, travelling sweetly, Hidden Fortune really caught the eye over the third-last, sauntering up to keep close tabs on Provision towards the home straight. Pushed up to challenge over two-out, Hidden Fortune soon had too much in the tank for Provision, staying on well to land a 12th course win of the season for Dan Skelton!
Race 4 – Wrexham Lager Handicap Hurdle (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Putting the cherry on top of a 1-2-3 for Donald McCain, Who’s Glen (6/1) responded well to first-time cheekpieces on his way to landing Race 4, coming home 2 ½ lengths to the good under Brian Hughes. Racing in the slipstream of stablemate Zamond (5/1), Who’s Glen was content to stay in mid-division through the first circuit, the pace being set by his other stablemate Rock Hurley (11/4F). Still on the bridle after jumping the third-last, Who’s Glen made a bold forward move entering the straight, and after sneaking round the outside of his two stablemates, the plucky five-year-old stayed on impressively to secure an 85th winner at Bangor-On-Dee for jockey Brian Hughes!
Race 5 – Sun Racing Summer Jumps Championship Handicap Hurdle (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
Maintaining her consistent form, Hello Sweety (4/1) recorded her fourth career victory when successful in the Race 5, scrambling home by ¾ of a length for Charlie Hammond and Stuart Edmunds. Straight into the lead from flag-fall, Hello Sweety set a steady gallop out in front, pursued closest of all by Eremenko (16/1) as the remainder lagged behind. Let loose on the front end, Hello Sweety seemed to be playing a game of ‘catch me if you can’ by the time the field reached the home turn, and despite the best efforts of Uhtred Ragnarson (3/1JF) in second place, the leader was away and gone, just doing enough to land the spoils for Welsh Grand National-winning jockey Charlie Hammond!
Race 6 – Bangor-On-Dee Handicap Hurdle (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Scoring for the first time over hurdles for new trainer Tim Reed, Scottish Dancer (6/1) kept on gamely to land the finale by 1 ¾ lengths under a determined ride from Harry Reed. Another to race prominently, Scottish Dancer held a narrow advantage from the outset, maintaining a modest gallop up front with Irish raider Fine Print (11/2) for company. Ridden along passing the three-furlong marker, Scottish Dancer briefly looked likely to be usurped by Fine Print on the run towards the final two obstacles. However, sticking on bravely, Scottish Dancer battled on strongly towards the line, pulling out just enough to secure a first winner for Tim Reed since October 2022!
Race report by Adam Perkins
