May 18 / 17.40 Bangor-on-Dee

17.40

Good

Wrexham Lager Celebrates Wrexham AFC Promotion Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 2m 1f 77y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Wrexham Lager Celebrates Wrexham AFC Promotion Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 111F2- D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row (1m7f-2m, good/good to soft) when blinkers were added in early part of last season and posted another career best when close second at Kempton (2m2f, good) last month, after a break; could plausibly still be on the upgrade; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

6th Oct 2024

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 2

15:50 Kelso

Fringill Dike

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

5-8 over fences, including wins at Bangor in May and Newton Abbot in August when last seen; left with little to beat when winning by a street in the latter (raised just 1lb since) but could still be capable of better in this sphere and another step forward would not surprise.

9/2

1st

2

22nd Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 2

15:55 Newton Abbot

Fringill Dike

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

raced in second, led 3rd, headed but prominent 5th, not fluent 7th, good jump and led again 8th, went clear before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, went further clear approaching last, easily

3/1

16th

1

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

14:40 Market Rasen

Fringill Dike

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Progressive chaser who ran second at Uttoxeter last time under a big weight; 8lb lower for this return to hurdling (3-10) and likely to make his presence felt.

9/1

14/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: /1222-

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Runner-up all three stats since returned to Britain in the autumn, in two small-field chases (1m7f/2m) and a novice hurdle (2m4f); raced mainly on soft/heavy ground but has possibilities if he handles the conditions here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

24th Jan 2025

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 3

14:25 Sandown

Inedit Star

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Nick Kent

Bumper/hurdle winner in France; runner-up in his first four British starts (one of those over hurdles) and he was then hot on the heels of Doyen Du Bar last time at Aintree (2m, soft); mark hasn't budged an inch since joining Nick Kent but his day will come.

11/2

5th

1

24th Jan 2025

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 3

14:25 Sandown

Inedit Star

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Nick Kent

Bumper/hurdle winner in France; runner-up in his first four British starts (one of those over hurdles) and he was then hot on the heels of Doyen Du Bar last time at Aintree (2m, soft); mark hasn't budged an inch since joining Nick Kent but his day will come.

11/2

Form: 77453-

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Has rather mixed record since latest win in February 2023 but, following a wind op, gave good account when third (behind Fringill Dike) at Kempton (2m2f, good) last month; can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

15:15 Market Rasen

Prince Escalus

11st 5lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Can be up and down and hasn't shown any obvious benefit for wind surgery in his last two starts; what could help is this step back up in trip and he's historically well treated.

25/1

3rd

8

18th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

17:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Prince Escalus

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Has rather mixed record since latest win in February 2023 but, following a wind op, gave good account when third (behind Fringill Dike) at Kempton (2m2f, good) last month; can't be ruled out.

10/1

3rd

8

18th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

17:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Prince Escalus

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Has rather mixed record since latest win in February 2023 but, following a wind op, gave good account when third (behind Fringill Dike) at Kempton (2m2f, good) last month; can't be ruled out.

10/1

Form: 21P24- D

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Opened chasing account in mares' novice at Exeter (2m1f, soft) in December and was commendable fourth from out of the weights in Red Rum at Aintree (2m, soft) last month; effectively 6lb lower from correct mark today; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 42y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Mayhem Mya

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

This is her fourth attempt at about 2m4f and she's not proved her stamina; style of her hurdles win over an extended 2m2f at Exeter four weeks ago gives some renewed hope and last season's peak efforts over fences make this look a good mark.

10/1

Form: 1PP11- D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in her first two chases (both last autumn) but returned from break with clearcut win at Plumpton (2m3f, good) last month and followed up off same mark at Cheltenham (2m, good) four days later; 7lb higher in deeper race today but must be considered in current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

28th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Uttoxeter

Somespring Special

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Ended last season with two good-ground wins for Anthony Honeyball (2m3f/2m) but has suffered a worrying dip in form since; needs to have been perked up by switch to new stable (still in same ownership).

16/1

4th

4

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

18:20 Worcester

Somespring Special

10st 7lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Two chase wins in April, at Plumpton (19.5f, good) and Cheltenham (16.5f, good), but well below that level when fifth at Bangor last month and will do well to cope with these progressive rivals.

13/2

5th

11

18th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

17:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Somespring Special

10st 5lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Pulled up in her first two chases (both last autumn) but returned from break with clearcut win at Plumpton (2m3f, good) last month and followed up off same mark at Cheltenham (2m, good) four days later; 7lb higher in deeper race today but must be considered in current mood.

7/2

Form: 14232- D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Keen-going front-runner who won three chases last autumn (2m-2m5f, good-soft) and looked as good as ever when rallying second behind Somespring Special at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month; no surprise if she makes another bold bid here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

12:12 Uttoxeter

Sacre Coeur

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

led

2/1

2nd

1

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

12:12 Uttoxeter

Sacre Coeur

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Trailblazing front-runner who won by a wide margin at Plumpton (3m1f, good; 6lb higher today) in November; not disgraced at Windsor (2m4f) last Friday, reeled in from three out; has form around 2m and not discounted, especially if getting an easy lead.

2/1

4th

2

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 42y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Sacre Coeur

11st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Trailblazing front-runner who won by a wide margin off reduced mark at Plumpton (3m1f, good; 8lb higher today) in November, in between two seconds, but she was done with five fences from home when 25-1 at Hereford on latest outing; 7lb claimer takes over on board.

20/1

Form: 73330-

Last run: 77 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Largely disappointing for Mike Smith last season but was close third off much reduced mark at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft) in February and it will be interesting to see what Sandy Thomson can do with him; visor removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

14:45 Musselburgh

Ganapathi

11st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Continues to drop down the weights and there has been the odd hint of remaining spark this year, but he was pulled up at Kelso last time and this regressive 8yo has something to prove.

10/1

4th

2

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

14:45 Musselburgh

Ganapathi

11st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in rear, reminders 5th, headway when jumped right 11th, went fourth before last, weakened run-in

10/1

8

9th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

12:42 Kelso

Ganapathi

11st 7lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in rear, detached and reminders after 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 7th

18/1

Form: 11115- D

Last run: 23 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Won four small-field chases last summer (2m4f-2m5f, good-heavy) but was soundly beaten at Perth last month, after a layoff, and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

3

30th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

A Different Kind

11st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won four small-field chases last summer (2m4f-2m5f, good-heavy) but did not show a great deal on his two outings this spring (2m4f/2m1f) and needs to get back in the groove.

20/1

8th

1

18th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

17:40 Bangor-on-Dee

A Different Kind

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Won four small-field chases last summer (2m4f-2m5f, good-heavy) but was soundly beaten at Perth last month, after a layoff, and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.

10/1

Form: /1213- CD

Last run: 271 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Good-ground specialist who has very good strike-rate over fences (9-25; includes a C&D win); absent since below-par run behind El Borracho here last summer, though, and will need to be in peak form to defy current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 4

12:55 Doncaster

Sir Tivo

12st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Good-ground specialist who has won nine chases and was second to a progressive winner at Stratford (2m1f, good) in September; however, two lesser runs have followed and the first-time cheekpieces need to prompt a revival.

16/1

7th

2

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 4

12:55 Doncaster

Sir Tivo

12st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Good-ground specialist who has won nine chases and was second to a progressive winner at Stratford (2m1f, good) in September; however, two lesser runs have followed and the first-time cheekpieces need to prompt a revival.

16/1

Form: 20151- D

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 7yo who is 2-3 over fences for new stable this year; dominated from the front in first-time cheekpieces at Plumpton (2m1f, good) on latest outing seven weeks ago; interesting to see how well he copes with latest 8lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Kansas City Star

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Harry Derham

in touch with leaders on outer, not fluent 1st

16/1

12

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Kansas City Star

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Harry Derham

in touch with leaders on outer, not fluent 1st

16/1

7

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 8y

Class 2

14:15 Ascot

Kansas City Star

10st 3lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Derham

Benefited from drop back to Class 3 at Doncaster (2m3f) last time, taking strike-rate for current yard to 3-7; back up the weights and returns to significantly deeper waters, so seems unlikely to follow up.

16/1

Form: 24134- CD

Last run: 209 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
6-11 over fences, including good-ground C&D win last summer; returned from layoff with quite pleasing Flat run last month and can play a significant role here if addition of cheekpieces has positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 4

12:55 Doncaster

El Borracho

12st 2lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Continues to drop down the weights and he's run the odd fair race this season, but hasn't shaped as though a return to winning ways is imminent.

10/1

6th

1

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 4

12:55 Doncaster

El Borracho

12st 2lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Continues to drop down the weights and he's run the odd fair race this season, but hasn't shaped as though a return to winning ways is imminent.

10/1

5th

3

9th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 176y

Class 3

14:05 Aintree

El Borracho

11st 11lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

held up in rear

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £50.20
Straight Forecast £111.60
Tricast £1036.81
Trifecta £697.30

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Sacre Coeur

POSTDATA:

Somespring Special

Telegraph:

A Different Kind

Daily Mail:

Kansas City Star

RP RATINGS:

Prince Escalus

SPOTLIGHT:

Ganapathi

The Times:

El Borracho

The Star:

Somespring Special

D Express:

A Different Kind

The Sun:

Kansas City Star

WEST COUNTRY:

Prince Escalus

The Guardian:

Sacre Coeur

Daily Mirror:

Sacre Coeur

Daily Record:

Sacre Coeur