Bangor-on-Dee will host a thrilling day of jumps racing on Tuesday, with the action streamed live on Sky Sports Racing. The centerpiece of the card is the John Hewitt Memorial Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, where Grade Two winner Roadlesstravelled will take his first steps over fences. This seven‑year‑old gelding began his career in spectacular fashion, winning three consecutive hurdle races, including a Grade Two novice hurdle, before his form dipped dramatically. After pulling up in the Formby Novices' Hurdle in December 2024, he spent a spell on the flat, where a recent run proved he was still a bit too keen.
Now, after almost four months away from obstacles, his connections – trainer Jonjo O'Neill and jockey AJ O'Neill – are hoping he will rediscover his early brilliance and deliver a solid performance in his chase debut. The horse’s pedigree and past form suggest that if he returns to fitness, he could be competitive, especially after a convincing Irish point‑to‑point win in May 2023. Among the seasoned campaigners, Captain Cool stands out as the most experienced chaser on the day, carrying a BHA rating of 131. His extensive fence experience should allow him to dictate the pace and potentially dominate the field.
Krak, meanwhile, appears to be on a decent mark despite a ten‑length defeat in his last outing; he seemed to tire over the distance and may benefit from a shorter trip that suits his stamina. Ice In The Veins suffered a 25‑length loss to Captain Cool in June, but with a lighter weight and a more economical racing style, the gap between them could narrow considerably. The card also features a Listed Criterium de Lyon, pitting San Giorgio against Master Man. San Giorgio, trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard, has shown steady improvement, breaking well and fighting hard in his recent novice outing.
He has a respectable pedigree, having finished close behind the current French two‑year‑old champion Avec Toi, and displayed his best form when placed behind a quality juvenile in the Ciceron. His stablemate Be My Friend was a close runner‑up to San Giorgio on debut and later claimed a win at Vichy, suggesting he could become a serious threat as he gains experience.
Master Man has been consistent, winning two of his three starts, and may set the benchmark for the race. Skyridge and Palais Byzantin, who finished narrowly apart in July, are also expected to be competitive, although they lack the developmental upside of the three front‑runners.
The programme continues with a feature on the Paul Ferguson's Jumper To Follow Novices' Hurdle, where the promising five‑year‑old filly Hidden Fortune, trained by Dan Skelton, headlines. After two promising bumper placings, she broke her maiden in her hurdle debut with a dominant performance, indicating significant room for improvement. Her trainer believes she may thrive over longer distances and on softer ground, making her a formidable opponent.
The main challenger is likely to be Provision, who also secured a maiden win by ten lengths in his most recent start. While Provision lacks the class of Hidden Fortune, his recent form suggests he possesses the experience to contest the race seriously.
Ride Like A Girl, who underperformed in her last outing, shares a similar profile to Provision and could rebound to challenge for top honors. Additionally, Secret Beach makes his hurdle debut after a respectable flat rating of 78; while he may need a learning curve, his flat credentials could translate well to the obstacles. Beyond the main races, the card includes a nine‑race meeting at Auteuil featuring a Listed contest, and a series of informative maiden races at Lyon‑Parilly, offering opportunities for emerging talent to showcase their abilities. The final highlight of the day is the 4.38 pm feature at Bangor‑on‑Dee, where Jiair Madrik is set to compete in a tightly contested affair.
For racing enthusiasts who want to stay up‑to‑date, Sky Sports Racing provides comprehensive coverage, including the latest news, interviews, and in‑depth features accessible via mobile devices. Whether you are following the seasoned campaigners like Captain Cool, tracking the progress of a debutant such as Roadlesstravelled, or scouting future stars in the maiden races, the Tuesday card at Bangor‑on‑Dee promises a blend of excitement, tactical intrigue, and the potential for breakthrough performances across the board.