THE first official Sunday racing at Bangor-on-Dee this weekend could see an outing for Grand National favourite Clan Royal.

The Jonjo O'Neill trained horse which was desperately unlucky at Aintree last year when he was carried out of the race by a loose horse at Becher's Brook on the second circuit, is entered in the penultimate race - which is over hurdles.

Another Grand National fancy in the Heathcotes Outside Handicap Hurdle is Forest Gunner from the Cheshire stables of Richard Ford.

Clan Royal is many people's idea of the right horse to give Champion Jockey Tony McCoy his first Grand National win. The horse will not be carrying a hefty weight and, if everything goes well between now and April 8, he's predicted to be sent off one of the shortest-priced favourites in the history of the race.

His trainer has shown his liking for using hurdle races to prepare him in the past, and he has yet to jump a steeplechase fence in public this season.

Racing is at the mercy of the wintry weather sweeping across Britain this week. However, the forecasters are predicting better weather at the weekend, so hopefully Bangor will not have any problems.

The new point-to-point course at Bangor was given a successful baptism last Sunday when a crowd of almost 3,000 was in attendance for the Flint and Denbigh meeting.

A new track, inside the racecourse used by the professionals, has been constructed over the last two years and will be used again at the Sir WW Wynn meeting on Sunday April 2.

The first race at Bangor on Sunday is at 2.15pm. Admission to the Course Enclosure is £7 (£6 in advance), while the Paddock Enclosure is £15 (£14 in advance).Call 01978 780323 for details.