17:00 | Bangor-on-Dee | Wednesday 25th February 2026

117 Expert View: Outpaced and needing the run when comfortably held in a handicap chase at Chepstow last time; off a short break. Best around 2m4f and acts on soft and good ground; a bounce back is needed.

Form Snapshot: He has won four chases from 2m to 2m 4f on ground varying from good to soft to heavy, but last win was over two years ago. Well beaten at 10-1 when fifth of 7 on his latest outing in a chase at Chepstow over 2m 3f (good to soft) in December last year.

Ostend (IRE) 23

b g ; Marcel - Mahaatheer

7/2 4.5

Jack Hogan

A Ralph

Star rating: 4

PF31P-3 8 11-7 118 WS2

D G

129 Expert View: Returned to form down in trip under a positive ride after a wind op when beaten 18l into third in a handicap chase at Southwell most recent run; second run after wind op. Effective at 2 1/2m, acts on heavy and good; inconsistent but well treated on best form and likes the track so dangerous if allowed to dictate.

Form Snapshot: Successful in a hurdle race and a chase at 2m 3f on good and good - yielding ground. Third of 7 behind Daytime Dreaming beaten 18l at 5-1 on his latest outing in a chase at Southwell over 2m (good to soft) earlier this month.

Bowenspark (IRE) 57

b g ; Walk In The Park - Bowenscourt

15/8 2.88

Stan Sheppard

H D Daly

Star rating: 4

662-P25 8 11-5 116

D G Cl Hcp BF MM

129 Expert View: Did not find much when comfortably held in a handicap chase at Haydock last time; trainer in form and off a short break. Effective at 2 1/2m and suited by soft and good ground; inconsistent.

Form Snapshot: He has won a hurdle race and two NH flat races at 2m on good and soft ground, but last win was over two years ago. Finished 12l behind Grain D'oudairies when fifth of 6 at 2-1fav on his latest outing in a chase at Haydock over 2m 4f (good to soft) in December last year.

Kykorock (FR) 39

b g ; Ballingarry - Barock Bruere

122 Expert View: Scored by 3l off a 7lb lower mark at Market Rasen on his penultimate start; ran to form when third, beaten 7 1/4l off 113 last time, and is on the same mark here. Effective at 2m and acts with cut; more to come over fences, possibly over this bit further.

Form Snapshot: He has won two chases and a point-to-point from 2m to 2m 4f on good to soft and soft ground. Third of 10 behind Koukeo beaten 7l at 11-2 on his latest outing in a chase at Haydock over 2m (good to soft) last month. Has won at Market Rasen and Warwick this season.

Casual Observer (IRE) 384

b g ; Pillar Coral - Oulart Star

13/8 2.63

Paul O'Brien

Harry Derham

Star rating: 5

4255/51- 7 11-2 113

D G Cl

132 Expert View: Keen and well handicapped on novice form, improved when benefitting from his reappearance and well backed when landing a handicap by 3l off a 6lb lower mark at Ffos Las last time. Returning from a long layoff; progressive and opening chase mark lenient so looks a leading player.

Form Snapshot: Won on his latest outing in a hurdle race when 6-4fav at Ffos Las over 2m 4f (heavy) in February last year, beating Double Click by 3l.

2025: (4 ran) Big City Roller , Age 7 , Wgt 11-2 , SP 2/1 - Lily Pinchin / C E Longsdon

Forecast: 13/8 Kykorock , 2/1 Casual Observer , 5/1 Bowenspark , 6/1 Ostend , 12/1 Galop De Chasse (Note: non-runner may affect prices)

Last Updated: 25 Feb 2026 07:47:42

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Hcp Today’s Official Rating or Higher

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HG Headgear
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BF Beaten favourite last time out
MM Horse is within the top 10 steamers for the day
MM Horse is within the top 10 drifters for the day
ATR Horse is being backed by one of our tipsters

90 Official Rating
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WS This horse received Wind Surgery prior to this run
WS2 This was the horse's second outing after receiving Wind Surgery

2 Horse is due to go xlb down in future race
2 Horse is due to go xlb up in future races

Bookies best price percentage = 106.73% | Standard bookmaker terms: Win only

AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur. Read more

Verdict
Expert View Verdict

Verdict

Casual Observer is an interesting contender on his chasing bow after winning over the smaller obstacles at Ffos Las last year, but the long absence is a slight concern. With that in mind, OSTEND gets the nod. Alastair Ralph's eight-year-old failed in his attempt to make all when third at Southwell, but has been dropped 3lb for that effort and that might prove to be kind. Bowenspark completes the shortlist.

Top Tip: Ostend (2)
Watch out for: Casual Observer (5)

CASUAL OBSERVER is chosen to overcome a long absence and make a winning chase debut. He was a cosy winner off 6lb lower over this trip on his last hurdles run and his strong point form suggests he'll have much more to offer in this discipline. Kykorock lost his unbeaten run over fences last time but he still performed with credit and shaped as if this longer trip could bring further improvement. He will provide a challenge along with course specialist Ostend who bounced back to form after a wind op last time and could be allowed to dictate here.

1-2-3 Selections

Previous Winners

Year	Going	Ran	Winner	Draw	Age	Weight	OR	Form	Last run	Trainer (Distance)	Jockey	SP	Time
2025	Heavy	4	Big City Roller		7	11 2	115	41-12	445 days	C E Longsdon (116 miles)	Lilly Pinchin	2/ 1	5:45.27

Race Favourite Stats

Year	Favourite Finish Position	Winner Market Position
2025	3	2

Race Record

Distance	Record Time
2m 4f 72y	4:48.91