THE star attraction at Bangor-on-Dee last Saturday was Iris's Gift in the Bright Future Novices' Steeplechase.
Tony McCoy set the pace aboard the 11-8 favourite and kept the grey up to his work throughout to score a four-length win from Montgermont who was receiving 10-pounds in weight from the winner.
Nantwich-based owner Robert Lester explained: 'The rain today was wonderful for him and I'm delighted. He jumped smashing and all he ever does is enough, he's never going to win by a big margin.'
There was a good gallop in the Numark Handicap Hurdle Race when Ela Re pulled himself to the front and was going for home. Jockey Tizzard brought the 4-1 favourite Prairie Sun through to lead on the final bend and rapidly opened up an unassailable margin to score by 22-lengths.
Tizzard said: 'The rain has got into the ground, it's proper jumping ground and they're getting into it prop-erly; she's on the upgrade and galloped to the line.'
Trainer Ginger McCain, of Cholmondeley, had an afternoon of mixed fortunes. At Bangor-on-Dee, Ebony Light recorded a three-and-a-half length win in the totescoop6 Handicap Steeplechase. The 7-1 shot was always prominent with the stay-ing-on McKelvey occupying second place.
McCain remarked: 'He was entitled to win this, he keeps galloping and I think he's ideal for the National. If he's sound and gets in, he goes to Liverpool. I wanted to go there two years ago with him but was out-voted by the family!'
At Chepstow the 2004 Aintree Grand National hero Amberleigh House was pulled up on his seasonal debut. Ginger explained: 'It was a shade disappointing but the ground went soft and he possibly needs Liverpool to bring out the best in him these days. They were going half a gear too quick for him today.'
A more accurate picture of the gelding's National chances will emerge after the Becher Chase next month.
Back at Bangor-on-Dee, Good Samaritan returned a starting price of 7-1 after winning the Gordon Mytton Homes Novices' Hurdle Race. Going the shortest way round, the six-year-old survived a poor jump over the last flight and had the pace to hold Martovic by a neck in second place.
The totepool Awaybet 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Race resulted in a two-length win for the 15-8 favourite Jeremy Cuddle Duck. Private Be was the long-time leader and found no extra on the flat. Jockey Ben Hitchcott had a worthwhile journey from Chepstow to partner 11-2 chance Power Unit to a smooth two-length victory in the Miles Macadam Handicap Steeplechase.
Punters finished the afternoon on a high note when Bonchester Bridge, sent off the 2-1 favourite, made all to win the totesport.com Mares' Only Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race unchallenged by eight lengths.
Despite early rain the meeting was attended by 5,758 on the day that national hunt racing began to unveil the leading contenders for the forthcoming season.
