Brendan Powell's Princess Flame disappointed back over hurdles last time having run well over fences and over timber in his previous two starts and looks best watched in a race that is taken to go to EPEE CELESTE with the main danger rated as Near The Water. Richard Rowe's gelding has shown improved form of late having not been out of the first two home in each of his last three starts but he was beaten off the same mark that he races off today at Fontwell last time and may have to settle for second place again. Vic Dartnell has his string in good heart at present so Henry Hook has to be considered but he will need to improve on recent form to trouble the judge, while Tim Vaughan's Letham Island has given little sign of encouragement in recent starts. Having won well at Uttoxeter in December, Romney Marsh disappointed off his new mark at Huntingdon last month and looks best left out of calculations. Spider Boy should appreciate the better ground today having struggled under testing conditions of late but more solid claims are held by the selection, Epee Celeste. The four-year-old has only had two starts since joining David Pipe from France but has run well in those two outings and she can open her account off what seems a fair mark on her handicap debut.
Princess Flame (GER) 28-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 9th of 15, 31l behind Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Near The Water (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, hit 3 out, went second when lunged at last, closed on winner flat, always held, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Lord Singer (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Henry Hook (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, struggling 5th, soon tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Ghizao (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Epee Celeste (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 9th, chased winner going to 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 27l behind Evella (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Letham Island (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Majic Moments (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Oct, 9 ran.
Spider Boy 8-1 (10-8) Chased leader, led 3rd to 5th, outpaced from 3 out, 3rd of 6, 27l behind Timetoring (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Romney Marsh 13-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed next, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 12l behind Home She Goes (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m Mares Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (4yo+) (4) sft in Jan.
