14:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Saturday 22 March 2025

All13:3514:1514:5215:2716:0216:3717:10

Excel Signs Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 4m 18.55s

Boston Joe^t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 104| D

13/2

Has won a pair of 2m handicap chases at Ffos Las this season but ran badly over hurdles there 3 months on from an encouraging display at Chepstow under this rider, consistency seemingly a major struggle of his these days. Back over fences under Callum Pritchard. Not dismissed.

Form: 1P812P

Sovereign Star^t1³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 102

14/1

From points and looks to have been brought along with handicaps in mind, his return from a 10-month absence (also had a breathing operation) in 17f Carlisle novice hurdle certainly not devoid of promise. Quickly switched to fences for handicap debut with tongue tie fitted. One to note.

Form: P2/65-75

Limetree Boy^p⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 100

17/2

Not so good in 2 runs since his C&D second in May and back from another 3 months away.

Form: 34-3208

As Tears Go By^t1⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽⁷⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 99| D

17/2

Won 3 times over hurdles for Gordon Elliott. Below that form for a while, stopping the slide to an extent in handicap chases of late, albeit yet to get any closer than 14 lengths to winning for current connections. Tongue tie goes on and he's fallen again in the weights. Watch the betting.

Form: 986233

Neigh Botha^p,t¹⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 97| BF

7/1

Won 2m novice handicap hurdle at Southwell in November but typically let down by his jumping back over fences there the following week and off since. Others preferred.

Form: P3431P

Stick With Me Sam^t⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: T R Gretton| OR: 87

5/4

Has made a promising start over fences fitted with tongue tie, second in a good 2m Warwick handicap and again at Catterick last time, let down by some sloppy errors. Capable of winning a race like this if brushing up his jumping and Sean Bowen rides for the first time.

Form: 6-74622

Orbys River³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: S Allwood| OR: 82| D

6/1

Scored in fine style from the front in 2m handicap chase at Ayr in January. Good second next time, before making bad mistake 3 out and well beaten in well-run contest at Leicester last month. She can bounce back.

Form: 2-6P127

Chateau Du Lys^t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: T R Gretton| OR: 79

28/1

No form in novice hurdles and quickly switches to fences for handicap debut (was runner-up in a point).

Form: 2007

Forecasts

Stick With Me Sam (5/4), Orbys River (6/1), Boston Joe (13/2), Neigh Botha (7/1), As Tears Go By (17/2), Limetree Boy (17/2), Sovereign Star (14/1), Chateau Du Lys (28/1)

Quite a few of these are interesting and STICK WITH ME SAM gets the vote to go one place better than on his last 2 outings in the hope he can cut out the mistakes with Sean Bowen up for the first time. Boston Joe is certainly capable of a big run if in the mood, while Sovereign Star could do better now chasing and the well-handicapped As Tears Go By would be appealing if the betting spoke in his favour.