June 08 / 16.35 Bangor-on-Dee

16.35

Good

Mike & Jill Medcalf 70th Birthday Mares’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 4f 72y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Mike & Jill Medcalf 70th Birthday Mares’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 3666-1 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Placed on only one of her six appearances last season but looked back in good nick when winning very comfortably by over 8l at Stratford (2m3f, good) three weeks ago; hard to beat if in similar mood again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

29th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 4

15:37 Fakenham

Fancy Stuff

10st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tom Gretton

2-13 over fences, latest off 1lb higher in June 2024 under Sean Bowen; form has been mixed since but she ran well for a long way at Chepstow on return from nearly four months off; on a fair mark if building on that.

4/1

5

29th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 4

15:37 Fakenham

Fancy Stuff

10st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tom Gretton

2-13 over fences, latest off 1lb higher in June 2024 under Sean Bowen; form has been mixed since but she ran well for a long way at Chepstow on return from nearly four months off; on a fair mark if building on that.

4/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: P0/54- D

Last run: 392 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won four in a row over hurdles in 2022 but lightly raced and disappointing since; safely held in two 2m4f Warwick chases last month; revival needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

14:30 Stratford

Gentle Connections

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear, struggling before 4 out, no telling impression

5/2

2nd

3

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 5

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Gentle Connections

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear

8/1

4th

4

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:55 Warwick

Gentle Connections

11st 2lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, briefly led 7th, lost third 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out

6/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 79P4-6

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Displayed significant promise in bumpers last season but has not yet shown a great deal over jumps; beaten about 29l when sixth of eight on recent chasing debut at Hexham (2m4f, good); improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

4th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

17:28 Sedgefield

Rorys Story

10st 10lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has been getting her act together over fences and the breakthrough came at Cartmel (2m1f) in July on her penultimate start; stayed on from the rear when third of eight over that C&D (also good) ten days ago; this sort of trip is probably worth exploring again.

3/1

3rd

8

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

17:18 Cartmel

Rorys Story

10st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

The breakthrough had been coming and he was much too good for Pittsburg over C&D (good) a month ago; 7lb higher but something appears to have clicked.

7/2

1st

6

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

17:10 Cartmel

Rorys Story

10st 3lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

14-race maiden; in the frame in three consecutive good-ground chases since dropped back to about 2m this season but needs to find something extra to get a win on the board here and the forecast slower ground is a worry.

11/2

Form: 2656-4 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 13lb

11 yo Mare

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Safely held when fourth behind Fancy Stuff at Stratford (2m3f, good) last month, in a race she won last year, and is patently not the force of old but has become too well handicapped to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

13:30 Stratford

Admirals Sunset

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: David Weston

travelled strongly, midfield

10/1

6

2nd Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

18:40 Stratford

Admirals Sunset

11st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: David Weston

Veteran mare who is better known as a chaser now; no longer the force of old but her recent efforts have been respectable and she runs this track well; of interest off her lower hurdle mark.

7/1

4th

6

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 5

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Admirals Sunset

10st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: David Weston

in touch with leaders

8/1

Form: 420-5P

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Failed to deliver on initial hurdling promise for Dan Skelton, then pulled up on last month's chasing debut; recently changed hands for £4,000; needs to have been revitalised by her new surroundings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

24th Mar 2026

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:00 Southwell

Smurfette

11st 9lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Consistent 8yo who made it 2-2 here when a narrow winner earlier this month; only raised 3lb and this willing mare should have every chance; has won on good.

2/1

1st

6

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:45 Southwell

Smurfette

11st 1lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Latest effort, upped to this grade, suggests she remains in form; proving consistent and she is 1-1 at Southwell (scored comfortably in November 2024); respected.

15/8

Form: 435-56 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Regressive 10yo who failed to build upon a fairly encouraging reappearance run when soundly beaten at Warwick last week and is now 0-12 over fences; needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:20 Taunton

Cotton End

10st 10lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jackie Du Plessis

Veteran who had poor completion record in points last season and was easily brushed aside after making the running on rules return at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in November; revival needed.

33/1

6th

8

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 5

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Cotton End

10st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

pressed leader

12/1

6th

5

30th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:40 Warwick

Cotton End

11st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Sheila Lewis

Multiple hurdle winner at up to 2m3f; acts on a sound surface; 0-11 over fences; below par on her recent reappearance but not ruled out each-way if she comes on for that.

10/1

Form: 22135- D

Last run: 145 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Versatile mare who mixes hurdling with chasing; absent since her respectable fifth (over hurdles) at Hereford (3m1f, good) in January but will be fine over today's shorter trip and has possibilities if fully tuned up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:40 Leicester

Stamina Chope

11st 9lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

In-form 10yo who won over hurdles here (2m4f, soft) in November and over fences at Ffos Las (2m3f, heavy) last month; 6lb rise has now kicked in but she ran another solid race at Huntingdon last week and she remains well treated on old form; should go well again back over fences.

7/2

4th

6

5th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:43 Huntingdon

Stamina Chope

11st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

In-form 10yo; successful in two of her last three starts, latest at Ffos Las (2m3f, heavy) when returned to fences last week; stays 3m1f and has a leading chance off same mark; due to go up 6lb in future.

4/1

1st

5

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:25 Ffos Las

Stamina Chope

11st 3lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

In good form over hurdles and ran creditably last time when bidding for a Leicester double; gained sole chase win in 2022 and returns to this sphere for first time since June 2024.

6/1

Form: 11P-

Last run: 63 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Began rules career with two heavy-ground hurdle wins in February/March (2m1f/1m7f); pulled up when upped to 2m4f and fitted with cheekpieces (retained) for handicap debut in April but has plenty of Irish point experience (including on good ground) to call upon for this chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

14

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

18:20 Roscommon

Emilys Choice

10st 12lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Colin Bowe

Won first two starts over hurdles last year on heavy ground for Donald McCain; disappointing in two chases for this yard and now returns to hurdling in blinkers.

25/1

9

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

3m 1f 110y

17:20 Wexford

Emilys Choice

11st 4lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Colin Bowe

Point-to-point winner won first two starts over hurdles last year on heavy ground for Donald McCain; no impact in two chase starts for that stable on quicker ground and similarly on recent yard debut at Tipperary; hard to fancy.

16/1

5

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 155y

16:18 Tipperary

Emilys Choice

11st 7lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Colin Bowe

Point-to-point winner won first two starts over hurdles on heavy ground for Donald McCain; no impact in two chase starts for that stable when last seen and is best watched on first start for new yard.

20/1

Form: P060-2

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in first two handicap chases but fared much better when second (albeit well held) to Fancy Stuff at Stratford (2m3f, good) three weeks ago; effectively 2lb higher here but has something to build on now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

16

31st Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:35 Stratford

The Gambler

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

led, 5 lengths ahead with one circuit to go

66/1

9th

16

31st Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:35 Stratford

The Gambler

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

led, 5 lengths ahead with one circuit to go

66/1

12th

12

11th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:03 Worcester

The Gambler

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Max Young

Displayed improvement when keeping-on second at Stratford (2m3f, good) in May, her third chase, but was no match for the winner there and has been safely held twice since; others look stronger.

25/1

Form: 030P-8

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Well beaten over hurdles here (2m7f) on recent return to racing under rules and now 0-7 in that sphere; 6lb out of the weights today and needs the switch to fences to show her in a much better light; swaps usual cheekpieces for first-time visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 5

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Oneway Express

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

led but pestered

20/1

8th

10

28th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

18:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Oneway Express

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

0-6 over hurdles; standout piece of form when third of ten on handicap debut at Bangor (2m7f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in August; pulled up twice since including in a maiden point this month, returning from a break; plenty to prove from 5lb wrong back hurdling.

25/1

8th

10

28th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

18:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Oneway Express

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

0-6 over hurdles; standout piece of form when third of ten on handicap debut at Bangor (2m7f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in August; pulled up twice since including in a maiden point this month, returning from a break; plenty to prove from 5lb wrong back hurdling.

25/1

Non-runners

Nowinittowinit

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.50
Straight Forecast £8.59
Tricast £60.55
Trifecta £104.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Fancy Stuff

TOPSPEED:

Admiral's Sunset

D Express:

Rory's Story

Telegraph:

Emily's Choice

RP RATINGS:

Fancy Stuff

The Times:

Fancy Stuff

The Guardian:

Fancy Stuff

Daily Mail:

Fancy Stuff

Daily Mirror:

Fancy Stuff

The Sun:

Fancy Stuff

The Star:

Fancy Stuff

Daily Record:

Fancy Stuff

POSTDATA:

Admiral's Sunset