held up, hampered 2nd, headway after 6th, went 2nd 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace, no impression
led to 3rd, weakened 7th, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out
tracked leaders, led rd, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader until weakened 7th
held up, headway 6th, ridden and outpaced 9th, rallied 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, hung left after last, driven out
tracked leaders, ridden 5th, weakened next, mistake 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off from 7th, pulled up before 2 out
Flaming Heck, Nagano and Amadeus make most appeal in this handicap-chase with Flaming Heck a tentative choice in what looks a difficult race to call. He was held up at Newcastle on his most recent start and this change in tactics appeared to make all the difference. He will appreciate the cut in the ground here and should give a good account of himself. A small-stakes win bet is advised. The Ian Williams-trained Nagano should have too much to do off top-weight and Amadeus looks another who will struggle off his current handicap mark. A difficult race to call but our choice is Flaming Heck.
Nagano (FR) 7-2fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 13, 11l behind Wild Power (10-7) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Flaming Heck 5-1 (10-12) Led to 5th, tracked leader, led again 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure flat, just held on, won at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy beating Miss Pross (11-1) by a hd, 5 ran.
Fantasmic 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders to approaching 4th, soon behind, 11th of 14, 38l behind Elegant Clutter (11-1) at Warwick 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy.
Amadeus (AUS) 7-2 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 10, 20l behind Polar Gunner (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Bel Ombre (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Hampered 3rd, behind from 6th, mistake 8th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Haile Selassie (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 10 ran.
Ready To Rumble (NZ) 4-1jt-fav (9-13) Chased leaders, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Tuesday's Child (10-10) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Silver Dagger 150-1 (10-9) Held up in chasing group, no impression from 4 out, 4th of 6, well behind Monet's Garden (11-10) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
