March 21 / 14.15 Bangor-on-Dee

14.15

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 3m 0f 30y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: -784F9 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Exposed ex-Irish gelding who has yet to score for Dan Skelton (0-10); however, he has been contesting stronger races and was going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft; fine on good) in January; his subsequent Ascot run needs forgiving but that was a Class 1 race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Joyeux Machin

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Appreciated eased in grade at Bangor (3m, good to soft) six weeks ago, winning readily by 10l; contests deeper race here but probably still on workable mark after 5lb rise, and quicker ground also suits.

9/2

1st

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Joyeux Machin

12st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Exposed ex-Irish gelding who has yet to score for Dan Skelton (0-10); however, he has been contesting stronger races and was going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft; fine on good) in January; his subsequent Ascot run needs forgiving but that was a Class 1 race.

5/2

9th

6

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Joyeux Machin

10st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Record of 0-9 for current yard but he ran well over hurdles on this card last year; still going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft) most recently; shortlisted.

7/2

7/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -44311 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Has soon left all his hurdle form behind over fences and arrives here on a hat-trick after clearcut wins in Class 5 soft-ground handicaps over similar trips at Catterick and Wetherby; the concerns are whether he can deal with the latest 10lb rise in classier company and drying ground might not be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Bo Cruz

10st 8lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Has soon left all his hurdle form behind over fences and arrives here on a hat-trick after clearcut wins in Class 5 soft-ground handicaps over similar trips at Catterick and Wetherby; the concerns are whether he can deal with the latest 10lb rise in classier company and drying ground might not be ideal.

7/4

1st

2

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

17:15 Wetherby

Bo Cruz

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Kept on for third here (2m3f, soft) in December on second chase start and improved for the step up in trip to win at Catterick (3m1f, soft) last month, beating Court At Slip by 10l; unexposed over staying distances and he's a strong contender up 7lb for last time.

6/5

Form: -71222

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won in a refitted visor at Lingfield (2m6f) in November and runner-up on next three outings, which represents career-best form; still on a fair mark and drying ground won't bother him at all.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

No Tackle

10st 11lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won in a refitted visor at Lingfield (2m6f) in November and runner-up on next three outings, which represents career-best form; still on a fair mark and drying ground won't bother him at all.

9/2

2nd

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

No Tackle

11st 8lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Two-time course winner, the latest here (2m6f, soft) last February, and got back on the scoresheet at Lingfield (2m6f, good) in November; runner-up on both starts since (2m6f, good to soft; here last time); solid candidate.

7/4

OUR TIP

Form: 2-9344 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Last season was one to remember, winning the Welsh National and later second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; 0-4 this campaign but it's been anything but a washout and he should be dangerous off this mark, for all that he's made his name over further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Val Dancer

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Last season was one to remember, winning the Welsh National and later second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; 0-4 this campaign but it's been anything but a washout and he should be dangerous off this mark, for all that he's made his name over further.

4/1

4th

4

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Val Dancer

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Won last season's Welsh National (extended 3m6f, soft) off 3lb lower and second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; near that form on second start this term, before a lesser show (weak in the market) in the Surrey National at Lingfield; needs to be back at his peak and there are mixed messages.

8/1

4th

4

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Val Dancer

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Bettered underwhelming seasonal debut when placed over the big Aintree fences (3m2f, soft) last month and remains only 4lb higher than when winning last season's Welsh National (3m6f, soft); high on the list.

6/1

Form: 567/5- D

Last run: 543 days

W: 11st 5lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Strike-rate of 4-14 over fences but has seen very little action during the past three years and now returns from an even lengthier absence at the age of 11; potentially very well handicapped should market vibes bode well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Castle Robin

11st 5lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Strike-rate of 4-14 over fences but has seen very little action during the past three years and now returns from an even lengthier absence at the age of 11; potentially very well handicapped should market vibes bode well.

8/1

5th

2

24th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 3

15:30 Warwick

Castle Robin

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Charlie Longsdon

led, headed before 14th, soon prominent, lost ground after 3 out, weakened from 2 out

11/2

7th

5

9th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Castle Robin

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Charlie Longsdon

Front-runner; 4-12 over fences, the latest win gained off 2lb higher over C&D (good to soft) in February 2023; shaped as if retaining all his ability at Doncaster on reappearance, and less positive tactics seemed to backfire over a longer trip at Musselburgh next time; should have optimum conditions here and he's high on the list.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.00
Straight Forecast £13.50
Trifecta £25.90

Selections

The Times:

Bo Cruz

TOPSPEED:

Val Dancer

SPOTLIGHT:

Joyeux Machin

Telegraph:

Bo Cruz

The Guardian:

Bo Cruz

D Express:

Bo Cruz

Daily Mirror:

Bo Cruz

The Star:

Bo Cruz

Daily Record:

Bo Cruz

POSTDATA:

Val Dancer

The Sun:

Val Dancer

RP RATINGS:

Joyeux Machin

Daily Mail:

Joyeux Machin