April 22 / 16.00 Bangor-on-Dee

16.00

Good To Soft

Stella Artois Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6243.6
  • 2m 4f 72y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Stella Artois Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: -1412U D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
2-3 over hurdles since returned to racing under rules in the autumn and ran big race in defeat on chasing debut at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) in February; suffered a mishap at Ascot last month but remains one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

20th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

16:05 Market Rasen

Allo Allo

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Won over hurdles (2m7f, good to soft) and fences (2m4f, good) early last year but he's been pulled up in all three runs this season; now back on last winning mark but he needs a major revival on this return to hurdling; cheekpieces are added after a break.

16/1

0

5

19th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

14:40 Fakenham

Allo Allo

11st 3lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: Stuart Edmunds

in touch with leaders

8/1

0

1

13th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 38y

Class 4

15:10 Fakenham

Allo Allo

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

disputed lead, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last

100/30

10/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 614183 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner on soft ground this season (2m3f/2m5f) and ran well for a long way when third of five on last month's chasing debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft); probably needs to find extra to overcome current mark, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Warwick

Zestful Hope

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Five wins include two over fences, the latest at Huntingdon in October (2m4f, good) when 2lb higher; not so good in his five subsequent defeats and record when fresh is modest.

9/2

3rd

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

16:40 Hereford

Zestful Hope

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won this in 2025 (good to soft) and was also on target at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in October; back on a good mark now and should be fine on today's forecast soft ground but has become far too inconsistent to rely upon.

6/1

5th

2

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:02 Warwick

Zestful Hope

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Charlie Longsdon

Drew clear on run-in to score by 13l at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last month, form that was franked by the runner-up over the weekend; not one to rely upon heavily, though.

5/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 323132 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler who gained hard-fought win over fences at Doncaster (3m, good) in January and ran at least as well when close second at Hexham (3m, heavy) last month; not sure to benefit from today's drop back in trip but still enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

30th Nov 2024

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

14:37 Doncaster

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

disputed lead early, slow jump 1st, soon in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, dropped to rear before 7th, some headway and went fourth before 4 out, switched right and went modest third before 3 out, no impression

6/1

3rd

1

30th Nov 2024

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

14:37 Doncaster

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

disputed lead early, slow jump 1st, soon in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, dropped to rear before 7th, some headway and went fourth before 4 out, switched right and went modest third before 3 out, no impression

6/1

4th

6

2nd Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:08 Wetherby

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Well beaten over hurdles at Worcester in September but was returning from a 104-day break and chasing is his game nowadays; won two in a row over fences at Southwell (3m, good) in the spring and he's a strong contender if back on song today.

6/1

Form: 4-2733

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Safely held on last three appearances but now 10lb lower than when creditable second on seasonal debut at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft) in December, and will appreciate today's ease in grade; dangerous to ignore.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

19th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:15 Wetherby

Heartbreak Kid

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

prominent, went second and pressed leader 6th, outpaced and lost second after 5 out, weakened 4 out

9/2

5th

1

5th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

13:55 Musselburgh

Heartbreak Kid

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

prominent on inner

11/2

Form: -36P22 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Triple chase winner last season (2m3f/2m4f); out of form over fences this term but steadied the ship with two novice hurdle seconds in cheekpieces last month (2m/2m5f) and now reverts to chasing on a good mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good

2m 3f 51y

Class 5

15:30 Catterick

Yggdrasil

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

Winless since 2022 and he beat only one in 2m Taunton handicap chase 23 days ago on his second run after a long absence; has a bit to prove now.

13/2

4th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good

2m 3f 51y

Class 5

15:30 Catterick

Yggdrasil

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

Winless since 2022 and he beat only one in 2m Taunton handicap chase 23 days ago on his second run after a long absence; has a bit to prove now.

13/2

5th

3

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 12y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Yggdrasil

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

jumped left on occasions, prominent, lost ground before 3rd, not fluent 5th, struggling from 7th

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: 1UP4U1 D

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Beat course specialist in small field at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in February and is now 5-12 over fences; doesn't look harshly treated by subsequent 3lb rise and won't mind if there's rain about; visor refitted; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

On Springs

12st 0lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Luca Morgan

Five-time winner over fences for Ben Pauling and has won all this year's points with authority; needs respecting, though good ground seems ideal.

100/30

5

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

On Springs

12st 0lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Luca Morgan

Five-time winner over fences for Ben Pauling and has won all this year's points with authority; needs respecting, though good ground seems ideal.

100/30

4

18th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:52 Market Rasen

On Springs

11st 10lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Better known as a chaser (5-15); has reverted to hurdles since chase falls last summer; outran his double-figure odds when runner-up at Kempton (2m5f, good) in October; toiled on return from wind surgery subsequently; risky after break.

12/1

Form: 2F5627 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Very well treated on old form and seemed to have turned a corner when running well in defeat at Market Rasen (2m3f, soft) last month but was lacklustre at Carlisle a fortnight ago and now has it all to prove again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

29th Jun 2025

Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

The King Of May

11st 6lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

5-30 over fences, his latest win coming off 1lb lower here (2m5f, soft) last July; still has to prove his stamina, but he ran well for a long way on his stable debut/return from 253 days off at Hexham (3m, good to soft) 15 days ago; could go well.

7/1

4th

5

14th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:28 Hexham

The King Of May

11st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tristan Davidson

Won off a much reduced mark at Cartmel (2m5f, soft) last summer but didn't go on from there and this 11yo has been out for a while.

14/1

5th

3

4th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:15 Hexham

The King Of May

11st 8lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

in touch with leaders

10/1

Form: -3PP47 D

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Dual Grade 1 hurdle winner in his prime but this season's chasing form for Peter Bowen has generally been very disappointing; revival needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

7

5th Oct 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:05 Warwick

Reserve Tank

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Kickstarted this season with success at Market Rasen (2m3f) in June but he's twice failed to build on it, beating only one at Newton Abbot (2m5f) last month; others are much preferred.

10/1

3rd

3

2nd Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:43 Newton Abbot

Reserve Tank

11st 5lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Peter Bowen

raced in second, not fluent 6th, lost second but prominent 7th, weakened before 2 out

13/2

5th

4

29th Aug 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Worcester

Reserve Tank

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Formerly very smart and belatedly returned to winning ways in a first-time visor (with tongue-tie returning) over 2m3f at Market Rasen (good); only 3lb higher but that was three months ago and trainer turns to more new headgear now; no certainty to be as good again but strong contender if he is.

2/1

Form: 322458 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Placed on first three starts for Jedd O'Keeffe (once over C&D); suffered dip in form after the turn of the year but showed some zest in first-time visor (retained) at Carlisle last month until a jumping error cooked his goose; drops in grade today and is too well handicapped to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Worcester

Ubetya

11st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

midfield

14/1

3rd

1

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

20:15 Uttoxeter

Ubetya

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Very well handicapped on old chasing form and seemed to have turned a corner when fourth over hurdles at Ludlow (3m, good) in April but last month's Huntingdon fouth was a rather laboured effort and others in this field have more persuasive profiles; won't mind what the weather does.

14/1

4th

7

21st May 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:40 Huntingdon

Ubetya

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Lost his way over fences last season and was safely held when back over hurdles in February but last month's staying-on fourth at Ludlow (3m, good; about 6l behind Planet Legend) was much more encouraging, and he remains very well handicapped on older form.

10/1

Form: 72P-UP

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced for her age and made pretty good start to chasing career when second at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft) in January but three non-completions have followed since and it's hard to know what to expect from her here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

15th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 72y

Class 5

12:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Lady Of The Night

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Faded rather tamely in home straight at Lingfield (2m4f, good to soft) last month, after a break, and is now 0-5 over fences; on a tempting mark now and should be fine on today's ground but needs a good boost from the first-time cheekpieces.

10/1

5th

3

21st Nov 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

12:35 Lingfield

Lady Of The Night

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

jumped right on occasions, in touch with leaders, jumped right 3rd

9/2

5th

2

9th May 2023

Good

2m 5f 192y

Class 4

15:35 Ffos Las

Lady Of The Night

11st 10lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Chasing experiment has been shelved after failing to complete the last three times (pulled up latest); return to hurdles may prove beneficial but there is a question mark over her current form.

14/1

Form: 2-2921

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Came good over fences at fourth attempt, drawing 12l clear at Sedgefield (2m3f, soft) last month; 6lb higher in a stronger race here but will be fine on the forecast faster ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

10th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

15:20 Wolverhampton (AW)

Blue Hawaii

9st 12lb

T: Tjade Collier

Has returned from a summer break in good form, gaining second win on the Flat this year when scoring over 1m6f here last week; 4lb penalty; sound chance in a modest event back at 1m4f.

9/4

1st

12

(2)

4th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Blue Hawaii

9st 3lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Tjade Collier

took keen hold, midfield

8/1

3rd

8

(7)

14th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

12:30 Newcastle (AW)

Blue Hawaii

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Tjade Collier

Versatile mare who has yet to win on the AW but has won over hurdles/fences/a bumper and on turf Flat; sound run when runner-up to an easy winner over C&D last time (first three well clear); interesting contender.

7/1

Non-runners

Ubetya, Lady Of The Night

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £36.10
Straight Forecast £28.21
Tricast £156.43
Trifecta £215.40

Selections

POSTDATA:

On Springs

The Guardian:

Zestful Hope

RP Ratings:

Blue Hawaii

D Express:

Taste The Fear

The Times:

Ubetya

The Star:

Allo Allo

SPOTLIGHT:

Heartbreak Kid

The Sun:

Zestful Hope

TOPSPEED:

Blue Hawaii

Daily Record:

Taste The Fear

WEST COUNTRY:

On Springs

Telegraph:

On Springs

Daily Mirror:

On Springs

Daily Mail:

Ubetya