Review of the racing from Bangor: Grand National winner Leighton Aspell rides double

News of the action from Thursday's meeting at Bangor where Leighton Aspell and Aidan Coleman both rode doubles.

Leighton Aspell will certainly not be short on confidence heading to Aintree next week after a double at Bangor.

Aspell is aiming to become the first man to ride three successive Grand National winners after Pineau De Re and Many Clouds in the past two renewals.

He will be on Many Clouds next weekend - who surely has the best chance of any since Red Rum of emulating Ginger McCain's legend with back-to-back wins - and it was with his trainer, Oliver Sherwood, with whom he teamed up for the Stella Cidre Handicap Hurdle which they won with Weststreet.

Freshened up after a below-par run in January, the 7-2 chance ran out a six-length winner.

"He just didn't perform last time, he had a real off day, but prior to that he'd been consistent," said Aspell.

"I think Oliver had him treated for ulcers, and some horses feel them more than others.

"He'd been nicely freshened up and as he's won a point I think he'll go chasing at some point."

For the feature Stella Artois Handicap Chase, Aspell teamed up with Rebecca Curtis on Mezendore (9-1) to beat stablemate Tara Road by two and three-quarter lengths.

"That was his first run for Rebecca and he was trying new headgear (blinkers) today," said Aspell.

"He'd been running at the big tracks in Ireland so it was good planning by Rebecca to run here as it was good prize-money."

With just over a week to go before Many Clouds bids for a repeat, Aspell, who retired several years ago only to realise he had made a mistake, told Racing UK: "He was really impressive at Kelso and while there are better horses than him in the race, like Silviniaco Conti who won two King Georges, and Carlingford Lough, who has just been fourth in a Gold Cup, he ticks all the boxes.

"We know he likes the trip and the fences - they still have to prove it.

"I keep pinching myself. I could have blown it and I'm very grateful for a second crack."

The day started well for Venetia Williams as Belami Des Pictons (10-11 favourite) was never out of second gear in winning the Hampton Veterinary Centre Novices' Hurdle.

"That's two from two for me, I'm very pleased," she said.

"He's done everything right so far and will be going chasing next year."

His rider Aidan Coleman doubled up in the "Vote For Repeal" "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle on Vive Le Roi (8-1) for Charlie Longsdon.

"He showed quite a bit of talent on his first run but hadn't followed it up for whatever reason. His jumping was very accurate," said Coleman.

In the next race, however, Williams' Market Option fell and jockey Liam Treadwell was knocked out. He had regained consciousness by the time he was taken to hospital.

The Stella Artois Supporting Bangor-On-Dee Handicap Chase was eventually won by Jennie Candlish's Beauboreen (2-1) by six lengths from Thedrinkymeister.

Candlish's assistant Alan O'Keeffe said: "The blinkers have helped him and Jennie has done a good job freshening him up.

"Now he's got his confidence back I hope the handicapper doesn't go mad."