He needs to rebound from last month's heavy defeat at Plumpton but FRINGILL DIKE ran well for a long way at the Cheltenham Festival two starts ago and is taken to win this race for the second year running. Coastguard Station has returned from a break in very good form this spring and is feared most.[Chris Wilson]
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Back in prime form at end of last season, winning easily by 19l at Perth (2m, good to soft), and can probably cope with today's 7lb higher mark but has become unreliable and is not sure to be suited by the faster ground here.
Behind Coastguard Station when well beaten in last month's Sussex Champion Chase at Plumpton but his 5-11 strike-rate over fences includes a comfortable success in this race a year ago (good to soft); will be dangerous if back on song.
In good form last year, most notably when winning at Perth (2m4f, good to firm; 2m1f also suits) in June; made nothing better than a satisfactory reappearance behind Etalon at Perth last month but his current mark is workable and he ran well on both previous visits to Bangor (bumper/hurdle).
Returned from break with career-best performance at Ascot (2m1f, good) in March and was not beaten far when sixth in valuable Sussex Champion Chase at Plumpton (2m1f, good) last month, despite a less-than-fluent round of jumping; commands respect in current form.
Very well handicapped on old form but, following a long absence, did not really fire on any of five starts for new stable last season; not beaten far when last of five in Ascot race won by Coastguard Station in March and another 5lb lower here but still needs to up his game.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
