Over 3,000 guests enjoyed a brilliant afternoon at Bangor-On-Dee for the 2025 Wrexham Day fixture. The feature of a competitive seven-race card came in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Chase at 3:59pm, and the going remained Good on a very sunny day in North Wales.
Race 1 – Mayor Of Wrexham Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Successful here on his last start, Ki Woo (6/4F) repeated the trick in emphatic style in the opening race, readily coming clear by 6 ½ lengths to score for Toby Wynne and the Greenall-Guerriero team. Always to the fore, Ki Woo either led or raced in second place for much of the contest, followed closest of all by market rival Sign Again (7/4) as Malicash (5/1) and Isle Of Sark (11/2) sat in behind. Still on the bridle around the home turn, Ki Woo soon had the race in safe keeping under Toby Wynne, breezing away over the second-last and easily seeing off Malicash in the final furlong to run out an impressive winner. With this his being his 75th career winner, young conditional Toby Wynne has now successfully ridden out his claim; congratulations Toby and all the best for the future!
Race 2 – Stamford Agricultural Services Limited Novices’ Handicap Chase (Class 5, 5yo+, 3m)
As easy as you like, Bridget Mary (5/1) demolished her opposition when taking the second race of the day, jumping boldly and powering home to a smooth 10-length victory under Jamie Brace for Rebecca Curtis. In mid-division for much of the race, Bridget Mary settled nicely behind the leaders, the field taken along by Higgs (5/1) for the most part. Easily moving into prime position having negotiated three-out, Bridget Mary travelled powerfully around the home turn, chased by Mrs Tabitha (11/1) as the pair overtook Higgs on the run down towards the second-last obstacle. Firmly in charge over two-out, Bridget Mary was soon away and gone under Jamie Brace, the 7-year-old mare readily coming clear to provide Rebecca Curtis with her 20th winner of the season, adding to last month’s Cheltenham Festival success with previous Bangor-On-Dee winner Haiti Couleurs!
Race 3 – Pentraeth Subaru Handicap Hurdle (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
Desperate for winners in the race for the Jumps Trainers Championship, Dan Skelton came up trumps in the third race when his Gwennie May Star (7/1) came home a ready 7-length winner under Tristan Durrell. Travelling strongly throughout, Gwennie May Star was always prominent through the first circuit of the contest, waiting patiently in the slipstream of Camarrate (12/) as Lune De La Mer (4/1 JF) stalked them in behind. Comfrotably on the bridle, Gwennie May Star was the biggest eyecatcher of all around the home turn, taking control shortly before the second-last as Lune De La Mer gave chase. Still moving with purpose, victory was soon an inevitability for Gwennie May Star, nimble over the final two flights and extending away to take the spoils. A third winner here for Gwendoline Clarke, the winning owner’s recent Grade 2 scorer Gwennie May Boy is unbeaten at Bangor-On-Dee!
Race 4 – Thorncliffe Building Supplies Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
Fresh from some recent runs on the all-weather, Fandabidozi (11/2) ran on tenaciously to take the fourth race of the day, keeping on well by 4 ¼ lengths under Lilly Pinchin for local trainer Gary Hanmer. Prominent from the outset, Fandabidozi was never more than a few lengths away from early leader Saviour (28/1) during the first mile and a half, racing alongside Winchmore Hill (10/1) before challenging for the lead over the fourth-last. Ridden along but in contention around the home turn, Fandabidozi and Winchmore Hill rapidly left behind a struggling King Ulanda (5/4F) on the run towards the final two flights, the pair locked in battle. However, pulling out more for his jockey’s urgings, Fandabidozi showed real bravery in the final furlong, kicking on well after the last to put the race to bed and provide Gary Hanmer with his 18th winner of the season; two better than 2023-24!
Race 5 – Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 5yo+, 2m 4 ½f)
Bouncing back from a poor run last time out, Quick Sharpener (7/1) ran out a determined winner of the feature race, toughing it out by 1 ½ lengths under Luke Scott for the Richard Newland/Jamie Insole team. Always in close quarters behind Do Your Job (13/2) at the head of affairs, Quick Sharpener jumped well for Luke Scott through the opening two miles, racing just in front of the well-fancied Yealand (5/2). As recent course winner Too Cool Forshrule (11/10F) began to struggle down the back straight on the second circuit, Quick Sharpener moved up to challenge for the lead on the turn into the straight. Overtaking Do Your Job and kicking for home, Quick Sharpener readily settled the score in the home straight, jumping the final two obstacles safely enough before keeping on well towards the line and providing Luke Scott with a career-best 16th winner of the season!
Race 6 – Unicorn Travel Wrexham Limited Handicap Hurdle (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Highlighting the benefits of recent wind surgery, Serious Chat (4/1) came home a ready winner of the penultimate contest under Theo Gillard, stretching 2 ½ lengths clear at the line to provide Donald McCain with his first Bangor-On-Dee winner of 2025. Racing towards the inside of a well-bunched field, Serious Chat was never too far away from early leader and rank outsider Bright Sunbird (50/1) in Race 3, always around a length in front of Izzy’s Grey (2/1F) as recent course winner Kuzco (7/2) circled them. Niggled along but travelling well enough, Serious Chat took much closer order around the final turn, scooting up the inside to take a narrow lead over two-out, before staying on stoutly off the back of the last to hold Izzy’s Grey to the runner-up spot. A fair season for McCain, the local trainer’s highlight of the year came at Aintree, where stable star Minella Drama won the Old Roan!
Race 7 – This Is Wrexham “Junior” National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo, 2m ½f)
Providing Jamie Brace with a double on the day, Sir Hobnob (7/2) made the long trip for Nigel Twiston-Davies all the sweeter when scoring by 2 lengths in the final race of the afternoon. Taking close rank early doors, Sir Hobnob sat a couple of lengths behind pacesetter Portetta (7/2) through the opening mile, stalked for the most part by market leader Hay Max (11/4F) as the field made their way towards the final three furlongs. Pushed along under hands and heels, Sir Hobnob stuck to the rails around the home turn, gaining ground with every stride and readily moving upsides Portetta at the two-pole. Now in the clear, Sir Hobnob turned on the turbo in the final quarter mile, taking over a furlong from home before powering away from Hay Max and co. towards the line. Another winner at Bangor for the Jelley’s, their future Grade 2 scorer Guard Your Dreams also scored here in 2020!
Race report by Adam Perkins
