in touch, headway to chase leader 9th, effort between last 2, no extra flat
led to 6th, remained prominent until mistake and weakened 10th
tracked leaders, led 6th, headed approaching last, one pace under pressure
chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
towards rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, led approaching last, headed flat, no chance with winner
held up in rear, headway after 2 out, quickened to lead after last, ran on strongly`
Celtic Blaze hit winning form last time and defy a penalty here, the main dangers appear to be Princess Grec and Little Flora. Brian Rothwell's six-year-old had been struggling on the flat and over hurdles before winning that Sedgefield contest. She obviously appreciated jumping larger obstacles and will be hard to beat if in the same mood. Princesse Grec should be all the better for a recent spin over hurdles and this Worcester novice chase winner looks to be on a very fair mark. Little Flora has gone off the boil since winning at Kelso in April. If she can return to her best she would be in with a shout. In a pretty weak contest you can also give Uneven Line a bit of a chance, but Celtic Blaze jumped for fun last time and can go in again.
Celtic Blaze (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, led after next, ridden and headed after 2 out, led again last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov chs (E) gs in Oct beating Deja Vu (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Little Flora 6-1 (10-9) Led, blundered 5th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 44l behind Parisienne Gale (11-9) at Kelso 2m 1f mrs nov chs (E) gs.
Princesse Grec (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Alway prominent, chased winner approaching 4th, beaten when mistake last, 4th of 11, 13l behind Marjina (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m mrs hcp hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Moon Mist 9-2 (10-8) Led to 10th, pushed along approaching 16th, weakened 18th, 7th of 9, well behind Briar's Mist (10-8) at Ayr 3m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Mar.
Green 'n' Gold 6-1 (11-1) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, 6th of 14, 39l behind Tobesure (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Oct.
Uneven Line 33-1 (10-13) Held up, in rear, stayed on after 3 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Parisienne Gale (11-9) at Kelso 2m 1f mrs nov chs (E) gs.
Ornella Speed (FR) 9-1 (9-11) Towards rear, soon behind, tailed off when fell 4 out in race won by Inglewood (9-8) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jun, 9 ran.
