17:10 Bangor

Leg 1 Selections: Presentandcounting

PRESENTANDCOUNTING never looked like beating a tough stayer over an extended distance last time when beaten into second and costing us a huge payout on a previous Placepot, but the eight-year-old has a good strike-rate overall and will be more comfortable over this shorter distance. This is quite a weak race to start proceedings, so this is an excellent opportunity for Donald McCain’s charge to make amends and get back on the scoresheet under Brian Hughes in leg one. 

17:40 Bangor

Leg 2 Selections: Barest Of Margins, Bempton Cliffs 

BAREST OF MARGINS shaped well on chase debut and looked set to score last time until falling at the second last fence. He has gone up four pounds but he should go well with a clear round. BEMPTON CLIFFS has taken very well to fences, who jumped very well from the front en route to scoring easily on his penultimate start and followed up at Warwick in good style when beating a subsequent winner. Given the runner-up defied a mark of 112 since, this seven-year-old remains well treated off 102 and has a great chance of completing the hat-trick with loads more to come. 

18:10 Bangor

Leg 3 Selections: Bob’s Bar, Shareef Star 

BOB’S BAR put in a career-best performance when winning at Worcester last-time-out, where he forged clear of the field despite belting the last fence. Donald McCain’s progressive youngster won here on his second chase start, so with very few chinks in his armour, he should go close with more to come. I rate SHAREEF STAR as the biggest danger though, who cannot be dismissed in his hat-trick bid having completed the second of his latest wins over this course-and-distance. I recommend including these two for leg three. 

18:40 Bangor

Leg 4 Selections: Francky Du Berlais, Dead Right

FRANCKY DU BERLAIS showcased all of his battling qualities and talent when landing Summer Plate for the second year at Market Rasen last month and connections seem eager to capitalise on a much-lower mark back over hurdles. He has to be of strong interest here. DEAD RIGHT was back to something near his best when second at Perth last time, beaten only a neck and has a chance. He hasn’t been seen since but he goes well fresh and won his last two starts when last spotted over the smaller obstacles, so he’s feared most in leg four. 

19:10 Bangor

Leg 5 Selections: Charlie Uberalles

The Dianne Sayer-trained CHARLIE UBERALLES showed a lot of promise when runner-up in his first two starts over hurdles and duly obliged on handicap/chase debut at Perth, jumping boldly from the front to beat the 138-rated Hereditary Rule. He comfortably holds Shetland Bus on a line through the runner-up and he wasn’t disgraced back over hurdles last-time-out. He should have lots more to come back in this sphere, so the top-weight is confidently selected to go from the front again and make it two-from-two over fences at the main expense of Aviewtosea. 

19:40 Bangor

Leg 6 Selections: State Crown

The vote goes to STATE CROWN, who’s generally competed in better races than this over hurdles and resumed winning ways in his penultimate start under a positive ride. He found the step up in distance too far when third last time at the same course but back down in trip off the same mark with Lewis Gordon taking off a valuable seven-pounds, Evan Williams’ charge could be tough to pass on the front-end. He saves his best for Newton Abbot but is only a pound higher than when winning by ten lengths in a class-three event last year, so there is a lot to like about his chances.