tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
keen early, held up, ridden and outpaced 3 out, never on terms
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to go 2nd next, kept on, no chance with winner
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, 4th and beaten when hit last
led to 2nd, chased winner, lost 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace
raced keenly, led 2nd, made rest, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably
mid-division, driven 3 out, no impression from next
raced keenly, held up, always behind, tailed off 2 out
mid-division, lost place 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, hit 4th, lost place 3 out, soon beaten
Fiendish Flame may be a short price for a horse that is only having its third outing, and we're happy to take it on with top weight LETTERPRESS who's already won a similar contest in testing conditions, while any support for Karmadice should be noted. Howard Johnson's runner won at Hexham in the mud last time out, and relished the stamina sapping ground which she'll find again today,over slightly further. Fiendish Flame is another hold up type, who was a big priced runner up to a short priced favourite at Bangor last time out, again on soft ground, on what was his hurdles debut. The ground may be against Karmadice, a ready bumper winner first time out, but who's been unable to follow that up. The conditions will make it a real slog, but we think that Letterpress can cope with them best.
Letterpress (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, headway to chase leader after 2 out, led last, ridden out, won at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Pimbo Lane (10-5) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Abbey Minster 50-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 14, 35l behind Calcutta Cup (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Alderbridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 5f, outpaced over 4f out, kept on final 2f, 5th of 11, 12l behind The Bonus Ball (10-7) at Southwell 2m nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Blacks Bridge (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next, 8th of 14, 33l behind Calcutta Cup (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
El Chico 17-2 (10-12) In rear, weakened from 5th, tailed off and pulled up in race won by Abstinence (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Fiendish Flame (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and hung right approaching next, stayed on, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Son of Flicka (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Karmadice 9-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, 4th of 16, 12l behind Palm Reader (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Lisglynn Jim (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 12th of 19, well behind Dont Panic (11-4) at Down Royal 2m nhf sft in Dec.
My Midas 40-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, outpaced 6f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 47l behind Vivona Hill (11-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
What Happened 50-1 (10-13) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 35l behind Calcutta Cup (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Over The Odds 200-1 (10-5) Behind, lost touch 4th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by The Panama Kid (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Rennington Blue (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) In touch to halfway, soon beaten, 6th of 11, well behind Prince De Beauchene (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
