held up, pushed along 8th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 10th
with leader, led 4th, clear 3 out, easily
tracked leaders, chased winner from 5th, mistake 4 out, soon beat
led to 4th, lost place after 6th, a poor 4th when blundered and unseated rider last
held up, mistake 9th, a poor 3rd when weakening from 10th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Bangor has been a profitable track for Jonjo O'Neill over the years and we take the hint with the in-form Tigers Lair, who arrives here after a justly deserved success gained at Ludlow 11 days ago. Itsuptoharry and Welsh Main are fancied to give the selection the most to do. That said, Croix De Guerre was in good form towards the back end of last season and he does not have too much to find to go close again today. He is not the most straightforward of characters, though and is not one to trust implicitly. Welsh Main has the assistance of Carl Llewellyn and will not go down for the want of trying if he puts in a similar effort last month's start at Hereford. That was his first start for quite some time, but he shaped as if he still retains a fair amount of ability and holds sound place claims at this level. Itsuptoharry won well on soft ground at Uttoxeter last month and obviously got on well with Jason Maguire. This firmer surface should not be a problem for Donald McCain's charge and another bold bid is expected from him. However, Tigers Lair has the edge in terms of experience and, with Tony McCoy doing the steering, he is expected to take all the beating at this level.
Itsuptoharry (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up, headway and hung left from 4 out, led approaching 2 out, clear last, pushed out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Apr beating Vigoureux (11-0) by 11l, 7 ran.
Tigers Lair (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) With leaders, led 4th, edged left last, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (D) gd beating Saafend Rocket (11-12) by 7l, 8 ran.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) In touch, joined leaders 4 out, led 3 out, quickened clear approaching last, won at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (D) gf in Apr beating Tonic Du Charmil (10-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Welsh Main 20-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway from 2 out, nearest at finish, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Norma Hill (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Apr.
Humid Climate 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, kept on flat, never troubled leaders, 6th of 20, 7l behind Mr Mischief (11-2) at Wetherby 2m cnd nov hdl (E) gd.
Balinahinch Castle (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) In touch, weakened 4 out, 4th of 11, 48l behind Native Ivy (11-3) at Doncaster 3m beg chs (E) gd in Mar.
Hey Boy (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, effort to take 2nd but no impression 2 out, weakened run-in, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Vinmix De Bessy (10-9) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (E) gd in Mar.
