The Doyen Chief is favourite at Bangor to kick-start his season with another win

November 12

Sixty’s Rock is a non-runner at Bangor today, but we are still doubly-represented at the North Wales track, with Coral Gold Cup entry The Doyen Chief aiming to carry on where he left off last season when he reappears in the three-mile handicap chase, while Finest View, who won over the track last summer, takes on four rivals in the two-mile Listed novice for mares.

The Doyen Chief ended last season with two wins in the space of 12 days in March, at Kempton and Warwick, and, though it resulted in a 10lb rise up the weights, he has taken well to fences and easier ground won’t worry him.

Alan, who has Newbury’s major steeplechase at the end of the month very much in mind, said:”The Doyen Chief just got better and better as last season progressed.

“He might always prefer racing right-handed, but the way in which he won around Warwick gave us encouragement to try left-hand tracks again, and I think going up in distance has also helped him.”

That Bangor success for Finest View was the middle leg of a hat-trick for the nine-times winner, but she has always been more effective when the ground was good or faster, and further rain would lessen her chance in what looks a hot race.