December 09 / 12.55 Bangor-on-Dee

12.55

Soft

Yourspace Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3594.36
  • 2m 4f 72y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Yourspace Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: F55-72

Last run: 19 days

W: 12st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Ex-French maiden; safely held on first two British starts but fared much better when clear second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft; Discko Des Plages fell when travelling well) in first-time hood 19 days ago and has claims if in similar form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

16th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Good Work

11st 3lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

1-37 and still surprisingly error-prone despite so much chasing experience, leaving his mark on several fences en route to a 8l C&D fourth latest (good); frame finish probable but hard to predict better even off this career-low mark whilst the mistakes remain; cheekpieces return.

7/1

4th

5

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Good Work

11st 9lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Extremely hard to win with, having won only one of his 34 races over fences and runner-up on 13 of those occasions; even if he jumps better than last time (beaten 18l), he'll probably find a way to come up short; a rare run without any form of headgear.

8/1

3rd

1

6th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:53 Ayr

Good Work

12st 0lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Unreliable sort; jumped sketchily when a well-held fourth of seven in 3m Sedgefield handicap chase 16 days ago so others are much preferred.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 444-32 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Placed over hurdles on seasonal debut in October and ran big race in defeat when clear second on last month's chasing debut at Hereford (2m5f, good to soft), despite tending to jump left; has to take a 5lb rise on the chin but this switch back to an anti-clockwise track ought to be in his favour; leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:18 Ffos Las

Ballybeen

11st 13lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

0-11 over fences; well handicapped on some of his placed form for Sam Thomas in 2023-24 campaign but ran poorly on only appearance last season and made low-key reappearance for new stable last month; revival needed.

12/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Ballybeen

11st 10lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

0-10 over fences when trained by Sam Thomas; ran several good races in defeat and will be suited by today's trip/ground but was out of form when last seen last November; market may guide on stable debut.

10/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Ballybeen

11st 10lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

0-10 over fences when trained by Sam Thomas; ran several good races in defeat and will be suited by today's trip/ground but was out of form when last seen last November; market may guide on stable debut.

10/1

Form: 1/P9-4

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner in 2019-20 season (3m1f/2m7f); returned from long absence with two disappointing runs in early part of this year, but put in pretty good front-running shift when fourth at Fontwell (3m2f, soft) last month; has possibilities if able to build on that recent effort over today's shorter trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

6th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:10 Hereford

Loud As Lions

11st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tom Symonds

Two wins in 2019/20 but absent for nearly two years after the second of them and hasn't recovered his form; however, change of headgear offers hope (won in first-time cheekpieces); best if able to lead.

12/1

9th

5

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:45 Ffos Las

Loud As Lions

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Tom Symonds

Both chase wins from the front at about 3m, latest in February 2020; long absence before last season and well below form since; four wind operations in all, the fourth before latest start; hard to rely on.

10/1

4th

5

30th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:00 Huntingdon

Loud As Lions

11st 6lb

J: David Bass

T: Tom Symonds

Both chase wins from the front, most recently over C&D three years ago; well below best since back from absence last January and has lots to prove after pulled up on Boxing Day; had further wind surgery since.

14/1

Form: /326-F D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with a poor performance in April but moved to the front and was still travelling well before falling at third-last fence on last month's reappearance at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft); remains on the same career-low mark and must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Chepstow

Discko Des Plages

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Richard Hobson

In front and going well when falling three out at Uttoxter in November (2m4f, soft); again came to grief at Uttoxter seven weeks ago and although he's on a tempting mark, he'll need to cut out the mistakes today.

8/1

11

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:07 Uttoxeter

Discko Des Plages

10st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Richard Hobson

Yet to add to his win at Catterick in 2020 but had just struck the front and was still travelling quite well before falling at third-last fence over C&D (soft) on seasonal debut in November; runs off same mark today; can't be ruled out.

7/1

Form: 1PU2P- C

Last run: 265 days

W: 10st 11lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won twice over 3m (soft) here in May 2021, but following a layoff completed only one of four races in early part of this year; returns from another absence today and is getting long in the tooth; others look safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

27th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:18 Uttoxeter

Loch Garman Aris

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Gary Hanmer

Creditable second of 17 here (2m7f, good to soft) last May but this teenager has struggled in both runs this winter and he remains without a win since 2021.

25/1

8th

13

17th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:55 Southwell

Loch Garman Aris

10st 7lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Gary Hanmer

towards rear

20/1

6th

7

8th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Warwick

Loch Garman Aris

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Gary Hanmer

Veteran who has never won over hurdles but who finished a good second of 17 at Uttoxeter when last seen in May; has tended to need an outing in recent seasons but repeat of that effort would put him firmly in this.

13/2

Form: 5/344/

Last run: 781 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Caught the eye making good headway from the rear when third of 13 on stable/chase debut at Stratford (2m1f, good) in summer 2020, but wasn't in the same form on his next two appearances and is not sure to be suited by the soft ground on this first start in 781 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

11th Dec 2022

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

12:53 Southwell

Simon The Great

10st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

took keen hold, always towards rear (jockey said gelding hung badly left-handed)

12/1

Form: 4789

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Had poor completion record in Irish points and has shown only minor promise on his four hurdling starts; ran well to a point on last month's handicap debut and remains unexposed under rules, but could be considered only if lively in the betting before today's chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

4th Jan 2023

Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

14:00 Hereford

Separate Ways

10st 12lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Maiden; well beaten in his four hurdle starts, the latest on handicap debut; 0-10 in Irish points and no great appeal on chasing debut.

33/1

Form: 5356-3

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
1-16 over hurdles, the win gained on heavy ground in February 2021; gave fairly good account when third (albeit well held) on last month's seasonal debut at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) but has basically become disappointing; makes chasing debut today; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

16:17 Newton Abbot

Lightonthewing

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

Has more wins over fences, most recently at Exeter (3m, good to soft) last month under Ciaran O'Shea; failed to fire 20 days later but he's effective in this sphere as shown when a close second at Chepstow in February; yet to win from a mark this high but should be firmly in the mix.

9/2

5th

6

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 136y

Class 4

15:50 Chepstow

Lightonthewing

10st 10lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

Often front-runner; ridden by Ciaran O'Shea on last four starts; 7-22 in chases (one of his hurdles wins was this track) and those wins include his last two completed starts in this sphere, the latest at Exeter (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; this trip is unknown territory but he ran well over an extended 3m4f at Stratford in 2024; has to be in serious calculations.

9/2

1st

3

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:43 Exeter

Lightonthewing

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

Back to form to win a Wincanton chase (3m1f, soft) in December and nearly went in again back over hurdles at Chepstow in a race he won the previous year; nothing wrong with this mark and stable goes well.

3/1

Form: 4-5PP2 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Regressive 10yo; seemed to have been refreshed by a break when close second at Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft) last month, but today's race looks much more competitive and his overall profile remains unappealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

5th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

14:48 Market Rasen

Caro Des Flos

10st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Julian Smith

raced in second, clear with one other before 3 out, ridden and edged right before 2 out, led final 110yds, stayed on

4/1

Form: 2F2-5P

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
12-race maiden; second four times last season (twice beaten in photo-finishes) and seems very versatile regarding ground, but ran poorly last month after a break and needs a boost from the added cheekpieces here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

27th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

14:45 Cartmel

Passing Secrets

10st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Gretton

Maiden; runner-up four times in 2021-22 but not in same form since; not beaten too far at Fontwell this month but still limited appeal.

14/1

4th

10

10th May 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:15 Fontwell

Passing Secrets

10st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Gretton

Badly out of form over fences last season; hinted at possible upturn in fortunes when running well for a long way over hurdles in March but still has a lot more to prove than some of these, and is 5lb wrong.

33/1

5th

10

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 7y

Class 5

13:58 Bangor-on-Dee

Passing Secrets

10st 2lb

J: Mitchell Bastyan

T: Tom Gretton

Threatened to win over fences on a few occasions last season but in poor form this term, most recently when switched back to hurdling 19 days ago; 5lb wrong here; very difficult to enthuse over at present.

50/1

Form: 55P-9P C

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Caused 20-1 surprise here (2m1f, heavy) in January, but the form is weak and both runs this season have been disappointing; 6lb out of the weights; very difficult to enthuse over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

3rd May 2024

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Royal Act

11st 12lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

pressed leader, led after 5th, headed 8th, hit 10th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out

100/1

11

3rd May 2024

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Royal Act

11st 12lb

J: Miss Jess Stewart

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Struggled to get competitive off lowly marks in handicap chases last season and was again well beaten in a recent point; cheekpieces refitted.

100/1

Verdict

Discko Des Plages looked by far the most likely winner before his mishap in the home straight at Uttoxeter last month and could be a tough nut to crack off the same mark here, but preference is for BALLYBEEN who was a long way clear of the third when second on his chasing debut and might be seen to even better effect on this left-handed track. Good Work looked likely to finish behind Discko Des Plages before that rival came to grief at Uttoxeter, but nevertheless that second represented a pleasing step forward.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballybeen

RP Ratings:

Discko Des Plages

The Times:

Good Work

Telegraph:

Ballybeen

Daily Mail:

Ballybeen

D Express:

Ballybeen

The Sun:

Ballybeen

The Star:

Ballybeen

Daily Record:

Ballybeen

POSTDATA:

Discko Des Plages

WEST COUNTRY:

Discko Des Plages

The Guardian:

Discko Des Plages

Daily Mirror:

Discko Des Plages