April 24 / 19.10 Bangor-on-Dee

19.10

Good To Soft

Bangor-On-Dee Congratulates Champion Jockey Sean Bowen Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6337.2
  • 2m 0f 145y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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Bangor-On-Dee Congratulates Champion Jockey Sean Bowen Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Party cloudy

25/1 (Won)

Form: 114/59 D

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Useful novice, winning three on the bounce before finishing fourth in a Grade 2; however, a mammoth absence has seemingly stalled his progress judged by two heavy defeats this winter, both handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

15:45 Cartmel

Bareback Jack

11st 5lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Returned to form with hurdle win in first-time tongue-tie in April, his third run after a mammoth absence, and ran big race when close second in small-field chase at Bangor (2m1f, good) last month; ought to be favoured if the ground is slower than good here; might be the answer.

3/1

2nd

1

21st Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Bareback Jack

12st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Has not been the same horse since a 1,395-day break but the first-time tongue-tie helped him to a 2m1f hurdles success here in April (good to soft) and the hurly-burly of the Swinton Hurdle wasn't for him last time; chasing debut.

11/2

16th

10

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Bareback Jack

11st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won three on the bounce before fourth in a Grade 2 during his novice days; very low key on his first two runs back after an absence but then won comfortably under an enterprising ride at Bangor (2m, good to soft) 16 days ago when tongue tied for the first time, beating Dance And Glance; back up 6lb but may have turned a corner and he looked classy in his younger days.

14/1

Form: -11331 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Beat a good horse in his bumper and he's 2-4 over hurdles, though the long odds-on favourite rather fluffed his lines when edging that one out last time at Taunton; that might be dodgy form but he brings momentum into handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Dance And Glance

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

5-14 strike-rate and steadily progressive form, gaining his latest success over this C&D (good ground; three of today's rivals behind) in convincing fashion; a 6lb rise does not look harsh, and with further improvement on the cards he has solid claims.

7/1

1st

5

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

14:12 Haydock

Dance And Glance

10st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

6yo who has shown improved form this season, winning at Ascot (1m7f, soft) in December then runner-up at Sandown (2m, good); well-beaten fifth in the gruelling William Hill Hurdle at Newbury (2m, heavy) in February; has had a break since and could play a leading role if back to his best.

4/1

5th

16

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Dance And Glance

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Just held on from strong-finishing All In You at Ascot (1m7f, soft) and was unable to confirm the placings, albeit far from discredited, at Sandown (2m, good); that rival has the upper hand with further progress plausible; however, this consistent sort should go well.

16/1

Form: 247-11 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Fit off the AW when coming clear over C&D (good) 12 days ago, backing up last May's Stratford win; a 5lb rise for last time isn't too demoralising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

24th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:37 Uttoxeter

Fandabidozi

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Gary Hanmer

Two wins and a number of places to his name over hurdles; only 2l away on the AW 16 days ago when returning from a year off; handicapped to go well.

13/2

4th

6

(4)

8th May 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fandabidozi

8st 10lb

J: Zoe Lewis

T: Gary Hanmer

Doubled his tally over hurdles when winning at Bangor last April and he was placed there on his next start; disappointing at Aintree when last seen 357 days ago and he's best watched on his return to this sphere.

16/1

3

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 103y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Fandabidozi

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gary Hanmer

Doubled hurdling tally with clearcut win at Bangor (2m, good) last month and was placed off today's mark there (good to soft) a few days later; Sean Bowen takes the ride today; likely contender again.

7/1

Form: 5-1P15 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles and fences in five French starts; led early but dropped right out on stable debut in a Class 3 handicap at Newbury; since had wind surgery and may do better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Kel Raffles

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Won over hurdles and fences in five French starts; modest efforts for current yard on either side of wind surgery and now has questions to answer.

20/1

4th

2

14th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Kel Raffles

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Won over hurdles and fences in five French starts; modest efforts for current yard on either side of wind surgery and now has questions to answer.

20/1

4th

2

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

19:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Kel Raffles

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Won over hurdles and fences in five French starts; led early but dropped right out on stable debut in a Class 3 handicap at Newbury; since had wind surgery and may do better.

10/1

Form: 342222 BF

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Runner-up for a fourth successive time in handicaps at Newcastle in early March (2m1f, good); mark hasn't really gone anywhere and should be involved once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:20 Ayr

The Grafter

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Built upon his hurdling promise to win on chase/seasonal debut at Newcastle (2m, heavy) in January and he followed up there (2m, good to soft) in February; climbing the weights but this unexposed 7yo had something to spare for both wins and may well have more left in the tank.

100/30

1st

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:10 Newcastle

The Grafter

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Runner-up in four handicap hurdles last season; heavy ground could have been a factor in him showing improved form on his successful chase debut over C&D last month, though was well backed prior to comfortably repelling Spadestep; 9lb worse off with the runner-up but clearly open to further improvement.

11/4

1st

4

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

13:50 Newcastle

The Grafter

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Maiden; runner-up in four handicap hurdles last season; has no easy task on chase debut having been off for 278 days.

8/1

Form: 2-1453 CD BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won a good-ground handicap here last May (2lb lower) and had those conditions when not beaten far in a small field last time at Exeter; shouldn't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

21st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Warwick

Commanding View

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Reverted to hurdling with pretty good effort at Exeter (2m, good) last month and is back down to a workable mark now but needs to rebound from a below-par run at Bangor four weeks ago.

8/1

7

21st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Warwick

Commanding View

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Reverted to hurdling with pretty good effort at Exeter (2m, good) last month and is back down to a workable mark now but needs to rebound from a below-par run at Bangor four weeks ago.

8/1

6th

9

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

19:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Commanding View

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Won a good-ground handicap here last May (2lb lower) and had those conditions when not beaten far in a small field last time at Exeter; shouldn't be far away.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: -85414 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Good winner at Warwick before struggling in a Class 3 at Newbury; fairly exposed now and can't afford to be off his game with current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

Celtic Art

11st 11lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Six-time hurdle winner who hit a personal best when scoring at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in January but his form has slumped in two subsequent runs; has bit to prove again and this is competitive on this drop back in trip.

14/1

8th

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

16:57 Wincanton

Celtic Art

11st 8lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Showed career-best form when comfortably winning from Bourbali at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in January and a subsequent lesser effort on heavy ground there is not viewed harshly; has been ridden by a good 7lb claimer lately, though, and might find others better handicapped.

9/2

5th

5

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Celtic Art

11st 1lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Has done very well over 2m3f here in recent months, winning twice and second in between; those results were achieved on good/good to soft and today's much deeper ground is a slight concern given he's been below par on both hurdle outings on heavy.

3/1

Form: 32F/1- CD

Last run: 705 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who was progressing for Donald McCain when the easy odds-on winner of a C&D maiden (good) nearly two years ago; absent since but has undergone wind surgery prior to this first run for Fergal O'Brien who adds a tongue-tie; market should be instructive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 103y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Waspy

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Signed off for Donald McCain with Bangor maiden win (2m, good) in May 2023 but, following a long absence, dropped out very tamely on recent stable/handicap debut there; may yet come good for Fergal O'Brien but seems to have issues with his breathing, and others look much less risky.

12/1

6

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 103y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Waspy

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Signed off for Donald McCain with Bangor maiden win (2m, good) in May 2023 but, following a long absence, dropped out very tamely on recent stable/handicap debut there; may yet come good for Fergal O'Brien but seems to have issues with his breathing, and others look much less risky.

12/1

6

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

19:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Waspy

11st 5lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Irish point winner who was progressing for Donald McCain when the easy odds-on winner of a C&D maiden (good) nearly two years ago; absent since but has undergone wind surgery prior to this first run for Fergal O'Brien who adds a tongue-tie; market should be instructive.

10/1

Non-runners

Crystal Glance, Land Of Moon, Queens Wish

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £145.90
Tricast £925.98

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Grafter

POSTDATA:

Crystal Glance

Telegraph:

Fandabidozi

TOPSPEED:

Queens Wish

D Express:

Dance And Glance

Daily Mirror:

Waspy

The Sun:

Crystal Glance

The Star:

Crystal Glance

RP RATINGS:

The Grafter

The Times:

The Grafter

The Guardian:

The Grafter

Daily Mail:

Fandabidozi

Daily Record:

Fandabidozi