We'll get the obligatory Donald McCain winner at Bangor out of the way nice and early, in the maiden chase at 14:00 to be precise. It's fair to say that Avenging Ace was something of a disappointment over hurdles, but he's a point winner and may be the type to take off over the larger obstacles.
Admittedly, it looked something other than hurdles that held Avenging Ace back last season, often struggling to see his races out, but he could be the type to go well fresh as a result and his trainer makes no secret of the regard he's held in. Despite not reaching the promised heights over timber, Avenging Ace is the form pick here and, all things being equal, should be much shorter than his current odds.
The three-mile handicap chase an hour later contains plenty you wouldn't normally trust on one count or another, but a few are ahead of their mark, none more so than Basoda, a 25-length winner on his latest start. Kim Bailey's gelding carries a penalty for that success, but it clearly understates how much improvement he showed when winning at Kempton and conditions here should be just as suitable. He's not the most fluent of jumpers, but the fences at Bangor aren't really noted for their stiffness and he should get away with it in his bid for the follow-up.
We're sticking with Kim Bailey for our final selection, which runs at 16:00. A cursory glance at Finmerello's breeding is enough to tell you that the trips she's been running over to date will prove inadequate, while she's also shaped as though this step up to two and a half miles will be firmly in her favour. She starts from a low platform and has shown enough to suggest she's better than a 90-rated horse, so if she can step up on his first try in handicaps he should take all the beating.
Timeform SmartPlays
All at Bangor
Back Avenging Ace @ 5.95/1 in the 14:00
Back Basoda @ 3.814/5 in the 15:00
Back Finmerello @ 6.05/1 in the 16:00
