tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, mistake 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened from next
in rear, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, pecked 2nd, chased winner after 3 out until next, ridden before last, weakened run-in
held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, pushed along before 2 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, chased winner from 2 out until no extra towards finish
close up, led from 3 out, clear after 2 out, easily
led, headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
Gee Hi won easily when dropped to this trip at Bangor and will be fancied to defy his penalty, though this looks a little more competitive. Stars Royale was second on his chasing bow at Plumpton last month while The Lion Man and Kassis would have a chance if reproducing their best form over the smaller obstacles but Eastern Witness has flattered to deceive in the past. GRAND MARCH can also be infuriatingly inconsistent but wasn't a bad hurdler when in the mood and maybe the switch to fences will focus concentration. He's not badly treated if embracing the new challenge.
Gee Hi (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Prominent, led 6th, clear 2 out, easily, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Chankillo (10-13) by 24l, 6 ran.
The Lion Man (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, outpaced 5th, hung left and plugged on from 3 out, went 3rd next, no impression, 3rd of 5, 13 1/2l behind A Little Magic (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Grand March 4-1fav (11-5) Held up on outside, headway 3rd, not fluent next, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 24 1/2l behind Verano (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Stars Royale (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased winner until 3rd, went 2nd again 8th until slightly outpaced before 2 out, went 2nd and stayed on again from last, held by winner, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind The Yank (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Kassis 13-8fav (11-5) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 8 1/4l behind Passing Fiesta (10-0) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Sabroclair (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Led, headed before 5th, regained lead after 8th, pecked on landed 5 out, headed and dropped to 3rd before 3 out where not fluent, weakened after next, 8th of 11, dist behind Ronava (11-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f Good - Yielding in May.
Moscow Me (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Mid-division, weakeend 3 out, 10th of 13, 16 1/4l behind Dream Bolt (11-6) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Eastern Witness (IRE) 7-2 (10-4) Witjh leader, ridden 4 out, soon under pressure, weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, 19 1/2l behind Midnight Chorister (11-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Mar.