December 09 / 12.20 Bangor-on-Dee

12.20

Soft

Corbettsports Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3594.36
  • 2m 1f 77y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Corbettsports Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Abandoned

Form: 9PP1-4

Last run: 33 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Not much went to plan during last season's three-race chase campaign, but she signed off with a clearcut hurdle win in first-time cheekpieces in March and began her second spell over fences with a very encouraging fourth at Ffos Las (2m, soft) last month; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

29th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

15:10 Market Rasen

Starvoski

11st 5lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Well held in two chases and one back over hurdles on latest three starts; won at this time last year (in first-time cheekpieces) after a bleak spell so lightning could strike twice as she now sports a visor.

7/1

1

18th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

16:45 Uttoxeter

Starvoski

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Unknown quantity at present as she had a very stiff task back hurdling last week after two modest chase runs, but she won this off a similar mark in 2022 (soft) in first-time cheekpieces and this headgear switch could suit; worth considering.

9/2

6th

3

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Warwick

Starvoski

11st 12lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Kim Bailey

Well beaten over fences the last twice but good ground may not have suited last time and she's not ruled out now back on a slower surface over hurdles, off a mark just 1lb higher than when winning at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) last May on her latest attempt in this sphere.

8/1

Form: 47258- D

Last run: 244 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Went close in a soft-ground chase for Jennie Candlish last winter and ran quite well over hurdles on stable debut in March, but absent since a below-par effort in April and entitled to benefit from today's outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

27th Jul 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:32 Worcester

Barnay

10st 3lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Out of form in chases in the spring and hasn't won for well over two years; lot to prove on return from a break.

100/1

13

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Chepstow

Barnay

10st 10lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

On a losing run stretching back over two years; twice placed last month but never going well at Southwell 13 days ago and he's easy enough to swerve.

20/1

7

6th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

13:50 Southwell

Barnay

11st 0lb

J: Fergus Gregory

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

0-7 over fences but is back in better form having finished third at Catterick (2m3f) and Leicester (2m4f) last month, both on good ground; each-way possibilities if he copes with this drop back in trip.

9/1

Abandoned

Form: 247325 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Kept very busy this season, with the highlight his win at Warwick (2m4f, good) in September; now 5lb below that mark and gave a pretty good account when second of four at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) last month, but latest run was disappointing and it's hard to predict what sort of form he'll be in here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Dindin

10st 13lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

midfield

20/1

9th

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Dindin

10st 13lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

High-mileage veteran who looked out of sorts on his final two appearances in 2024; too well handicapped to rule out but younger rivals appeal more; blinkers refitted.

20/1

7

5th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 5

15:10 Wincanton

Dindin

11st 4lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: David Pipe

On a losing run and in difficulties in three of his last four starts, including behind School For Scandal over C&D in October and at Fakenham 16 days ago; has been wearing headgear but just a tongue-tie today; work cut out.

16/1

Form: 7/373-

Last run: 395 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Easily won maiden Irish point in spring 2021 (good to yielding) and shaped with promise in three Huntingdon maiden/novice hurdles (2m-2m3f, good) the following autumn; today's chase/handicap debut comes after a 13-month absence but market support will make her of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

31st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

13:00 Warwick

Miss McGugen

11st 8lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Took nine goes to win an Irish point but there was promise in her final run over hurdles when unlucky not to be second behind a mare now rated way higher; long absence to overcome but she's interesting now chasing.

15/2

OUR TIP

Form: 7335-5 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Placed over C&D (good to soft) last autumn and opened chasing account with comfortable success here (2m4f, soft) a year ago; made satisfactory seasonal debut last month and has slipped to a good mark; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

16th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:15 Market Rasen

Bitasweetsymphony

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Sam Allwood

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, outpaced before 5 out, weakened after 4 out

16/1

5th

6

26th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 5

13:50 Ludlow

Bitasweetsymphony

10st 7lb

J: Mr Benjamin Abbott

T: Sam Allwood

Sole win (22 races under rules) came over fences in December 2021; well down the weights now and he was placed twice early this year but pulled up on final start last season (made mistakes in first-time blinkers) and same again on reappearance three weeks ago; bit to prove.

10/1

0

5

4th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

14:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Bitasweetsymphony

10st 7lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Sam Allwood

took keen hold, prominent, weakening when mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

10/1

Form: 4322F1

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Came good over fences at sixth attempt, making all at Catterick (2m3f, soft) last month; subsequent 5lb rise demands a bit more from him and the drop back in trip is not certain to suit, but he still features prominently in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

1st Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ffos Las

Bolsover Bill

11st 8lb

J: Miss Victoria Malzard

T: Harry Derham

Generally very disappointing since returning from long absence in the autumn but took step back in right direction when respectable fourth (just behind Onehundredneighty) at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last month and remains very well handicapped.

11/2

4th

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Bolsover Bill

11st 13lb

J: Miss Victoria Malzard

T: Harry Derham

Dual 2m3f chase winner at start of 2024 (heavy/good to soft) but out of sorts since returning from long layoff this season; reverts to hurdling on tempting mark but needs a revival.

20/1

7th

11

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:47 Chepstow

Bolsover Bill

11st 4lb

J: Miss Victoria Malzard

T: Harry Derham

Began 2024 with two 2m3f Exeter wins and was subsequently placed over C&D; very well handicapped on those heroics but returned from long layoff with three disappointing runs this season and needs a revival; swaps usual cheekpieces for blinkers.

25/1

Form: P11-V5 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with two hard-fought wins at Fontwell (2m2f, good to soft) and is not yet fully exposed, but looked very laboured before plugging on for never-dangerous fifth at Fakenham last month; others here appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

15:30 Fontwell

Master Malcolm

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

Ended last season with two soft-ground wins at Huntingdon (2m4f) and will be fine on the quicker surface here but has been out of form this term (four starts) and needs to turn things around.

20/1

8th

2

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

15:30 Fontwell

Master Malcolm

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

Ended last season with two soft-ground wins at Huntingdon (2m4f) and will be fine on the quicker surface here but has been out of form this term (four starts) and needs to turn things around.

20/1

6th

4

25th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

15:35 Huntingdon

Master Malcolm

11st 11lb

J: James Best

T: Emma-Jane Bishop

Took this event 12 months ago but he's offered little in three outings this season, beating only one back over C&D last month; has something to prove.

13/2

Form: 9448V7

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won readily by 9l off a 6lb higher mark at Hexham (1m7f, good) in May but his form nosedived afterwards; seemed to be going well before a C&D race was stopped and declared void in October, but ran poorly at Fakenham last month and now has it all to prove again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

10th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Follow Your Fire

10st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Dual winner over hurdles and fences; generally out of sorts since last success (12 months ago) and beaten long way in both runs this spring; needs a big revival back hurdling.

20/1

7th

6

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

14:15 Hexham

Follow Your Fire

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Won by 9l over C&D (good to soft) last May but he's been disappointing since and was tailed off at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) last time; that was after a break but he needs a major revival on this drop back in trip.

25/1

7th

7

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

14:40 Huntingdon

Follow Your Fire

10st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jennie Candlish

Won by 9l at Hexham (1m7f, good to soft) last May and now 6lb lower after some forgettable performances during the past year; Sam Twiston-Davies is booked but not hard to have reservations.

10/1

Form: 900-99

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish mare who was a well-beaten outsider in a maiden hurdle on last month's stable debut; has more realistic chance at the weights on today's chasing debut but others have considerably less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

16:45 Market Rasen

Dawn Wonder

10st 2lb

J: William Kennedy

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Poor form in four starts since joining this trainer; in rear when unseating at Hereford on Sunday; can only watch.

50/1

9

5th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:33 Hereford

Dawn Wonder

10st 2lb

J: William Kennedy

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Ten-race maiden who was pulled up in two soft-ground chases here (2m5f/2m) last month and now reverts to hurdling; makes no significant appeal; visor removed after one use.

66/1

10

16th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

13:10 Hereford

Dawn Wonder

10st 6lb

J: William Kennedy

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Placed once over hurdles in Ireland but never backed up that effort; has achieved little in two runs for new yard, latest over 2m5f here (chase debut); first-time visor needs to make a big difference.

100/1

Form: /476P-

Last run: 343 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
0-11 when trained by John Groucott and not seen since pulled up in a heavy-ground chase just under a year ago; however, his new trainer has enjoyed an excellent 18 months or so and this new recruit has been given a good chance by the handicapper; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

15th May 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

20:15 Southwell

Muse Of Fire

10st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Gary Hanmer

0-15 under rules; started off for Gary Hanmer with two seconds over fences during the winter but ran poorly when tried in cheekpieces (now removed) last time and it's hard to know what to expect from him on this return to hurdling.

14/1

10

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

14:33 Bangor-on-Dee

Muse Of Fire

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Gary Hanmer

Chased home progressive rival on stable debut at Warwick (2m, soft) in December and kept on from a long way off the pace for another second at Catterick (1m7f, good) last month; held before last-fence fall on latest outing (2m4f) and 3lb wrong here, but still makes some appeal now dropped back in trip and with first-time cheekpieces fitted.

8/1

6

24th Feb 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Warwick

Muse Of Fire

10st 10lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Winner of his only point back in 2018 but things never fell right for him over fences for previous yard; up against it behind progressive winners in two starts for new connections (stewards enquired latest, explanation noted) but is in shallower waters here; is open to improvement.

4/1

Form: U441-5 D

Last run: 206 days

W: 10st 10lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
16-time winner under rules, most frequently at Sedgefield; returns from 206-day absence on a workable mark and with trip/ground suitable, but has become very inconsistent and younger rivals are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

14th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Sedgefield

Roxyfet

10st 7lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Has won nine times over C&D; below par recently, but now 5lb below his last winning mark and no surprise were he to bounce back.

18/1

6th

9

9th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:45 Ayr

Roxyfet

10st 11lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

midfield, slow jump 1st

16/1

8th

9

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 5

12:50 Newcastle

Roxyfet

10st 9lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Micky Hammond

Multiple winner down the years but he's rising 13 and lacks recent match practice having been absent since May; others preferred.

33/1

Verdict

This can go to STARVOSKI who gained a clearcut hurdle win off today’s mark in March and travelled strongly for a long way when back over fences for last month’s seasonal debut. Course winner Bitasweetsymphony is back on a good mark now and returns here after a fairly encouraging reappearance run. Last-time-out winner Bolsover Bill should also feature, while it will be very interesting to see what Gary Hanmer can do with Muse Of Fire.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Starvoski

LAMBOURN:

Bolsover Bill

Daily Mail:

Bitasweetsymphony

The Sun:

Master Malcolm

Telegraph:

Dindin

The Times:

Bolsover Bill

Daily Record:

Bolsover Bill

RP Ratings:

Starvoski

POSTDATA:

Starvoski

WEST COUNTRY:

Starvoski

The Guardian:

Starvoski

Daily Mirror:

Starvoski

The Star:

Starvoski

D Express:

Bitasweetsymphony