March 25 / 13.23 Bangor-on-Dee

13.23

Good To Soft

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gateway To Quality Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 3f 123y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
SKY
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Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gateway To Quality Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/10 (Won)

Form: 32

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Placed on both hurdling starts, more recently when close second to useful rival at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) in January; sets the form standard here; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Ed Keeper

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Improvement every time, finding the most when upped to 3m for an impressive handicap win at Newbury (good to soft; acts on soft) in December; may well have followed up at Cheltenham (3m, heavy) on New Year's Day but for blundering when travelling strongly at the final flight; 5lb rise rubs salt in the wounds but he could be a very useful prospect.

4/1

3rd

4

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

14:40 Cheltenham

Ed Keeper

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Improvement every time, finding the most when upped to 3m for an impressive win in 12-runner handicap at Newbury (good to soft; acts on soft) one month ago; 9lb higher today but he could be a very useful prospect.

11/4

1st

8

1st Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 2

15:35 Newbury

Ed Keeper

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Placed in two maiden hurdles on soft before winning one at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) in March, prevailing in a good scrap with the front two drawing 21l clear; 7-2, tongue tied when good second of 11 in novice handicap at Ascot (2m3f, soft) four weeks ago, always close up and front two clear; up 6lb but looks set for further progress and well worth a go at this trip.

9/2

Form: 343

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won by 30l on Irish point debut last spring and made quite promising start to hurdling career when third at Kelso (2m6f, good to soft) in November, but dropped out of contention very tamely on both subsequent appearances (3m/3m1f); today's drop in trip might be the right move but, nevertheless, he has questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

31st May 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:37 Fakenham

No But I Will

11st 4lb

J: Miss Jessica Milly Smith

T: Julian Smith

Just held on to make winning stable debut over C&D (soft) in December but failed to build upon an encouraging reappearance run when tailed off at Market Rasen last month; others have more persuasive profiles.

10/1

6th

5

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

No But I Will

11st 9lb

J: Miss Jessica Milly Smith

T: Julian Smith

Just held on to make winning stable debut under Jessica Milly Smith at Fakenham (2m5f, soft) in December and returned from break with fairly good fourth at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft) last month; will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; no surprise if he features.

7/1

4th

2

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:37 Wetherby

No But I Will

11st 10lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Julian Smith

Won at Cartmel (2m1f, good) last August on penultimate run for Robbie Llewellyn and he scored on his stable debut at Fakenham (2m5f, soft) in December; he didn't look straightforward on that latest outing but this course winner is entitled to respect nevertheless.

6/1

Form: 7F7

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In process of making promising Irish point debut before last-fence fall last April, but has made very quiet start to his rules career this season and is probably one for a bit further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Shuil Ceoil

11st 12lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Placed on last two starts, though was some 23l and 11l behind the winners (tried a visor last time); still needs a second look with him back in some sort of form and he goes well in the mud.

5/1

16

10th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:55 Chepstow

Shuil Ceoil

11st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

2-14 over hurdles; suited by this C&D but absent since a below-par run in April and others in this line-up have much more potential.

25/1

Form: 54-555 BF

Last run: 220 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won bumper in Ireland in 2021 and subsequently showed some fair form over hurdles there; makes stable debut after 220-day layoff but will be suited by the trip/ground and has each-way claims at least if fully tuned up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:40 Taunton

State Of Fame

11st 10lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

led, briefly headed 1st

7/2

2nd

3

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:40 Taunton

State Of Fame

11st 10lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

led, briefly headed 1st

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 326067

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Irish point in 2021 and was second in Chepstow bumper in October but well beaten on all three hurdling starts (2m-2m3f); huge improvement needed here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:40 Ffos Las

Harvie Wallbanger

10st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: John O’Shea

Essentially disappointing since finishing second in a bumper and was beaten 21l on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f); that was after a lengthy absence and now goes in cheekpieces over a longer trip (3m point winner).

13/2

6

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:40 Ffos Las

Harvie Wallbanger

10st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: John O’Shea

Essentially disappointing since finishing second in a bumper and was beaten 21l on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f); that was after a lengthy absence and now goes in cheekpieces over a longer trip (3m point winner).

13/2

6th

8

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:38 Chepstow

Harvie Wallbanger

10st 7lb

J: Ben Poste

T: John O’Shea

Runner-up in good-ground course bumper in October 2022 but struggled to get competitive in four subsequent hurdle races that season (2m-2m3f); makes handicap debut after 742-day absence; considered only if lively in betting.

7/1

Form: 513-27

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
French bumper winner in 2021; shaped with a fair bit more promise than eventual 29l defeat might suggest on last month's stable/hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m1f, good to soft) but will need to build on that performance to have any chance here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:15 Ffos Las

Icarat

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

prominent behind clear leaders, weakened after 5th, tailed off

12/1

9th

7

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:15 Ffos Las

Icarat

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Bumper winner in France but he's generally struggled in Britain and has failed to complete in chase handicaps in his last two runs; dropped another 4lb but he needs a transformation back over hurdles.

12/1

4

21st Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 5

16:40 Ludlow

Icarat

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Bumper winner in France; has far-from-solid claims on British form but he's in good hands and unexposed over fences; admittedly well held when unseating rider two out at Ffos Las (2m; 11-2 for chase debut) most recently.

7/1

Form: P-0P

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on hurdle debut in France last April and also struggled on both British starts this year (2m/2m3f); can only be watched at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:23 Bangor-on-Dee

Import Export

11st 7lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Pulled up on hurdle debut in France last April and also struggled on both British starts this year (2m/2m3f); can only be watched at present.

100/1

7

17th Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

13:20 Doncaster

Import Export

11st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Has shown little in two runs over hurdles, the first when trained in France; watching brief advised.

100/1

11th

5

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:27 Uttoxeter

Import Export

11st 8lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

prominent, hampered 1st

33/1

Form: 8

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten about 38l when midfield on last month's bumper debut at Chepstow (good to soft); in good hands and ought to be capable of better at some stage but is not the obvious answer here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:23 Bangor-on-Dee

Le Bon Vivant

11st 7lb

J: Fergus Gregory

T: Olly Murphy

Beaten about 38l when midfield on last month's bumper debut at Chepstow (good to soft); in good hands and ought to be capable of better at some stage but is not the obvious answer here.

33/1

8th

9

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:52 Chepstow

Le Bon Vivant

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

60,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; brother to French 2m1f hurdle winner Law Of Attraction; dam placed French 11.5f and 1m7f Flat/2m1f hurdle, half-sister to useful 9.5f-1m7f Flat/smart 2m-2m4f hurdle winner Sentry Duty; one to note in the betting.

12/1

Form: 7/044

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner last spring; made inauspicious hurdling debut in the autumn, but has improved since and was prominent for a long way when fourth of 17 at Wetherby (2m, soft) in January; has a bit to find on the figures with the principals here but the move back up in trip ought to suit and we may not have seen the best of him yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Worcester

Present Fair

11st 10lb

J: Dylan White

T: Donald McCain

Two wins and a second from five starts since April but he's not the easiest to predict and there have also been a couple of heavy defeats, including when coming home 65l adrift at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last time; will need to be on a going day.

8/1

10th

2

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:37 Uttoxeter

Present Fair

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Heavy-ground winner here in late 2023 and this year has added two Bangor handicaps on good to soft and good; only 4lb higher than for the latest (by a length) and the front two were clear.

7/2

1st

3

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

17:56 Bangor-on-Dee

Present Fair

11st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Scored over 2m3f here (good to soft) in April and was close second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) the following month; disappointed when last in action but, if back on song, could plausibly have untapped potential over today's longer trip.

7/1

Form: PP

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at triple-digit odds on first two starts (2m3f/2m2f); makes no appeal here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:23 Bangor-on-Dee

Short Change Hero

11st 7lb

J: Benjamin Abbott

T: Sam Allwood

Well beaten at triple-digit odds on first two starts (2m3f/2m2f); makes no appeal here.

250/1

7

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 2f 140y

Class 4

13:33 Market Rasen

Short Change Hero

11st 5lb

J: Benjamin Abbott

T: Sam Allwood

Pulled up when 150-1 for last month's debut at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) and can only be watched here.

100/1

Form: 2-O2

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Ran out at fifth flight on last month's British debut but made amends with promising second at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) a fortnight later; moves up in trip here and should still have more to offer; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

30th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Si Elegant

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Tailed off (bled from the nose) on his chase and handicap debut at Leicester (2m4f, soft) three weeks ago but that doesn't tell the full story as he was going well when making a very bad blunder three out; that was his first run for nearly a year and this unexposed 6yo is an interesting contender.

100/30

3rd

3

8th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

16:20 Leicester

Si Elegant

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

keen to post, led approaching last, going okay when bad mistake 3 out, not recover

3/1

10

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:23 Bangor-on-Dee

Si Elegant

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Ran out at fifth flight on last month's British debut but made amends with promising second at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) a fortnight later; moves up in trip here and should still have more to offer; major player.

7/4

Form: 00-

Last run: 469 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on point debut in 2020 but well down the field on both starts under rules in 2021 (bumper/hurdle); returns from 469-day absence here; had wind op in February 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:38 Chepstow

Sonic Gold

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: John O’Shea

Pulled up in first two handicaps, latterly when back on good ground at Hereford (2m3f) last month (bled from the nose); huge leap of faith required to support him here.

25/1

Form: 69-6

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced on last season's bumper debut and also displayed minor promise on last month's hurdling debut, but looks up against it here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

7th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Flora Paget

11st 5lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah Hollinshead

Never dangerous at 40-1 when fifth of ten on handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f) in June 2023; 9lb lower today but has raced only once since, when pulled up at 200-1 in a 2m3f novice 18 days ago; plenty to prove.

40/1

10th

5

7th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Flora Paget

11st 5lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah Hollinshead

Never dangerous at 40-1 when fifth of ten on handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f) in June 2023; 9lb lower today but has raced only once since, when pulled up at 200-1 in a 2m3f novice 18 days ago; plenty to prove.

40/1

4

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

12:35 Warwick

Flora Paget

11st 5lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah Hollinshead

Plenty to find on form and badly lacks recent match practice having been absent since June 2023; returns as a 9yo and best watched.

50/1

Form: P

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed no promise in two Flat races for Mick Channon on 2021 and, after a very awkward jump at the first, was already detached when pulled up before second flight on recent hurdling debut; hood fitted here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:23 Bangor-on-Dee

Penumbra

10st 2lb

J: Mitchell Bastyan

T: Stella Barclay

Showed no promise in two Flat races for Mick Channon on 2021 and, after a very awkward jump at the first, was already detached when pulled up before second flight on recent hurdling debut; hood fitted here.

250/1

11

17th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

14:40 Doncaster

Penumbra

10st 6lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Stella Barclay

Poor form in two runs on the Flat (7.5f/1m) for Mick Channon in August 2021; sold for £2,000 since; best watched on stable/jumps debut.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £11.86

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ed Keeper

POSTDATA:

Si Elegant

RP Ratings:

Ed Keeper

TOPSPEED:

Ed Keeper

Telegraph:

Ed Keeper

Daily Mail:

Ed Keeper

D Express:

Ed Keeper

Daily Mirror:

Ed Keeper

The Sun:

Ed Keeper

Daily Record:

Ed Keeper

The Times:

Si Elegant

The Guardian:

Si Elegant

The Star:

Si Elegant