Sky Sports Racing brings live coverage from Bangor-on-Dee on Wednesday, where eight races provide plenty to watch, alongside a handful of riders active at Happy Valley.
1.30 Bangor — Joyeuse and Diva Luna step up to fences
The Listed Yorton Mares’ Novices’ Chase shapes as a strong renewal with several interesting chasing recruits. Nicky Henderson’s Joyeuse, partnered by Nico de Boinville, leads the market after winning the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury in February and promises to be an exciting addition to the chasing ranks. Ben Pauling’s Diva Luna, who impressed over hurdles at Cheltenham earlier in the year, should also take to bigger obstacles and has more to prove after a quieter spell for Ben Jones. Queens Gamble brings solid hurdle form and a scopey profile for fences, while Henry Daly’s high-rated Wyenot completes the shortlist.
2.00 Bangor — Valuable handicap chase to entertain
The Weatherbys And Birdie Calendars Handicap Chase is a competitive affair. Le Milos, a previous winner of this race in 2022 and later the Coral Gold Cup, returns off a modest drop in the weights and looks primed to run well under Harry Skelton. Alan King’s The Doyen Chief bids for a hat-trick after late-spring victories at Kempton and Warwick and arrives five pounds higher as the obvious danger. Christian Williams’ Deep Cove, lightly raced over fences and successful in a Premier Aintree contest in April, is another to respect.
4.00 Bangor-on-Dee — Go Dante clashes with Honky Tonk Highway
A cracking finale sees Olly Murphy’s Go Dante, ridden by Sean Bowen, heading the market after a convincing Sandown win and can remain competitive despite a small weight rise. Dan Skelton’s Honky Tonk Highway, a prolific novice last season who goes into handicap company on a 129 mark, looks a tough assignment for rivals. Keep an eye on Lud’or for consistent maiden hurdle form and on Lawrenny in the market.
Best of the rest
Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle will be riding at Happy Valley, where James McDonald also features. Back at Bangor, Playful Fox—half-brother to Cheltenham scorer Unexpected Party—is due to debut in the 2.30, while the 3.00 boasts a competitive Novices’ Hurdle led by Shabalko d’Herm and Count Of Vendome. Henderson’s Fresh As A Daisy, entered in the 3.30, is bred to be useful and is an interesting prospect.