May 18 / 18.15 Bangor-on-Dee

18.15

Good

Bangor-On-Dee Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 1f 77y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Bangor-On-Dee Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.10

Form: /3729- D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Went close over C&D (heavy) in February and will also be suited by today's faster ground but finished down the field over hurdles here last month and remains without a win since March 2022; others have more appealing profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Malpas

11st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Three-time hurdle winner; came good over fences with C&D (good to soft) success in May (three runs ago) and remains on a workable mark but has become too inconsistent to rely upon.

14/1

4th

2

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Perth

Malpas

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

held up in rear, headway 3 out, went second 2 out, mistake last, hung left and weakened run-in

6/1

4th

1

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:45 Uttoxeter

Malpas

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

prominent, pressed winner 5th, lost position but in touch with leaders 10th, weakened gradually after 4 out

5/1

Form: 5934-3

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Generally disappointing since winning novice hurdle in early 2022 but has made the frame in three consecutive chases since cheekpieces were added in March, most recently when third to Boston Joe at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) this month; 1lb lower here and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 13y

Class 4

14:30 Ascot

Limetree Boy

10st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Winning hurdler who is 0-15 over fences; placed a few times, as at Windsor on New Year's Day (3m, good), but lesser performances have followed and softer ground was no excuse; cheekpieces return after trying blinkers last time.

10/1

8th

5

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Limetree Boy

11st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Back from a break to finish second at Windsor but that was over 3m and he fared less well at Huntingdon where soft ground was no excuse; still, always a chance that blinkers will sharpen up him and the trip shouldn't be a problem.

14/1

6th

1

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

13:30 Huntingdon

Limetree Boy

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Recent Windsor second (3m, good; pair 13l clear) was his most likeable performance since last spring; effective on slow ground and over stayers' trips, but untried over both together, and cranked back up 6lb also.

11/2

6/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: P1331- D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 3lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Veteran who is 2-7 since joining Gary Hanmer in the autumn, the latter win gained at Warwick (2m, good) last month; recent 3lb rise ought to be manageable if he's in the right mood again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

3rd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:37 Southwell

Abaya Du Mathan

11st 3lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

13yo who has inconsistent recent form but was successful (off 1lb lower) in December on most recent Southwell start; not ruled out.

13/2

4th

4

13th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:49 Leicester

Abaya Du Mathan

11st 5lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Multiple chase winner who made it three for the year at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in December; hasn't run to the same level since, a recent second at Huntingdon being a remote one, and others further up the list.

14/1

2nd

4

2nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:55 Huntingdon

Abaya Du Mathan

11st 7lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Veteran who had a clearcut win at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in December from Extraordinary Man, his 11th chase win; not so good at Hereford or Warwick (on Tuesday) since, however.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 23/P-F CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner on good ground in summer 2022 (once over C&D); struggled to cope with heavy ground when returning from long absence over hurdles in March then fell heavily in recent Ffos Las chase won by Boston Joe; current ability hard to gauge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

18th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

18:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Shareef Star

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

in touch with leaders, weakened 3 out, jumped left 2 out, tailed off

16/1

4th

1

18th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

18:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Shareef Star

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Dual chase winner on good ground in summer 2022 (once over C&D); struggled to cope with heavy ground when returning from long absence over hurdles in March then fell heavily in recent Ffos Las chase won by Boston Joe; current ability hard to gauge.

16/1

6

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:05 Ffos Las

Shareef Star

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

in touch with leaders on inner, fell heavily 6th

20/1

Form: 5345-1 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Back in excellent nick when coming from off the pace to win comfortably by over 7l at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) 11 days ago and now 4-11 over fences; 8lb higher here but could still have a bigger performance in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

5th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:22 Ffos Las

Boston Joe

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Goes well here, gaining fourth course success with a narrow verdict in March (2m3f, soft); beaten 8l behind L'Empire Vert off this 4lb higher mark on his return visit but he was held up in a race that favoured those ridden handier; good chance.

13/2

5th

1

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

16:20 Ffos Las

Boston Joe

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Prevailed from a solid rival in similar event over C&D (soft) last time, taking Ffos Las record to 4-15; should remain competitive despite going back up 4lb.

3/1

1st

2

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Boston Joe

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Gained three of his five chase wins here; must bounce back from a poor performance (over hurdles) in January but was placed here on first two starts this season (2m4f hurdle/2m chase) and has been given a chance by the handicapper.

9/2

Form: 4/P78- D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far when eighth of ten over hurdles at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) last month, after a break, but has not made any significant progress since winning hurdle debut in autumn 2022 and will need to up his game on today's chasing debut; pulled up the only previous time he wore cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

18th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

18:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Spirit Of Regulus

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

held up in rear, mistake 1st, weakened 3 out, soon pulled up

10/1

6

18th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

18:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Spirit Of Regulus

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Not beaten far when eighth of ten over hurdles at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) last month, after a break, but has not made any significant progress since winning hurdle debut in autumn 2022 and will need to up his game on today's chasing debut; pulled up the only previous time he wore cheekpieces.

10/1

8th

2

25th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

17:45 Huntingdon

Spirit Of Regulus

11st 13lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

took keen hold, prominent, mistake 7th

11/2

Form: 86633-

Last run: 60 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
0-5 over hurdles but looked suited by drop back to 2m when very respectable third at Wetherby (soft) in March, and connections are evidently keen to switch him to fences; unraced on ground faster than good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

8th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Lone Soldier

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

0-20 and mixed signals all season over what his present optimum trip might be; staying on but no chance with winner when second at Warwick latest (2m, good), and this contest looks a shade stronger.

6/1

2nd

9

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:00 Warwick

Lone Soldier

10st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

A stumble after four out was no help at Market Rasen but did finish well held and he's now 0-9 over fences and 0-19 overall.

16/1

4th

7

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

15:58 Market Rasen

Lone Soldier

10st 4lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

0-8 over fences and 0-18 overall; clear second to an improver over C&D (soft) in January and now only 1lb above that mark but hasn't quite been in the same form since; cheekpieces removed after one use.

11/2

Form: 44/7-6

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Safely held in two soft-ground handicap hurdles this spring and now 0-5 in that sphere; might be better suited by today's conditions but is 6lb wrong for his chasing debut and needs to take a big step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

13:30 Stratford

Fort Nelson

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Unplaced all 11 starts, six times over hurdles; getting back on good ground might aid his cause but he's 11lb out of the weights here and has a lot to prove.

33/1

6th

6

26th May 2024

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Fort Nelson

10st 3lb

J: James Turner

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

prominent

50/1

6th

6

26th May 2024

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Fort Nelson

10st 3lb

J: James Turner

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

prominent

50/1

Non-runners

Fanfan Du Seuil, Rafferty, Lonimoss Bareliere

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.80
Straight Forecast £29.34
Tricast £127.23
Trifecta £128.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Boston Joe

POSTDATA:

Limetree Boy

TOPSPEED:

Abaya Du Mathan

SPOTLIGHT:

Lone Soldier

The Sun:

Fanfan Du Seuil

WEST COUNTRY:

Limetree Boy

Daily Mirror:

Limetree Boy

The Times:

Boston Joe

Telegraph:

Boston Joe

Daily Mail:

Boston Joe

D Express:

Boston Joe

Daily Record:

Boston Joe

The Guardian:

Abaya Du Mathan

The Star:

Abaya Du Mathan