Walters chasing home win

Balder Succes: One of two runners for Alan King

Ffos Las chairman Dai Walters does not rate his chances very highly of winning the feature race at the Carmarthenshire track on Saturday with his own horse Tanerko Emery.

Walters would settle for a place with the David Pipe-trained seven-year-old in the William Hill Welsh Champion Hurdle, a race he won two years ago with Oscar Whisky.

Formerly a conditions race over two miles, Walters is happy to again have a runner in what is now a limited handicap over a further half-mile.

Tanerko Emery goes into the race in good form with victories at Sandown and Lingfield in December.

Walters said: "It's a class race. I know he's off a low weight, but I reckon he has too much to do. We don't know how good our horse is because he had a big wind op two years ago.

"He was off for a long time when he was with Tim Vaughan and he was always pulling and things. We sent him to David Pipe and he has settled him. If he gets a place I'll be happy."

Lucy Wadham is looking for a good run from El Dancer, who has also been in good form of late.

"He's really been consistent this season. He had a wind operation in the spring, that seems to have helped him and he's heading back up to the rating he was on when he won his novice hurdle at Aintree," the Newmarket trainer told At The Races.

"We've been put up 5lb for being second twice running now. He's got good form in heavy ground and we're hoping he can run really well and get into a place."

Alan King expects his two runners, Balder Succes and Medinas, to handle the likely stamina-sapping conditions.

"The testing ground won't worry Balder Succes, though we could have done with a few less runners as he seems to panic in big fields," the Barbury Castle trainer told www.alankingracing.co.uk.

"It certainly looked that way in The Ladbroke at Ascot last time, where he was very disappointing, but I need to get him out as he needs match-practice.

"We also run Medinas, who was fourth in similar ground conditions over three miles at Cheltenham last time."

Vaughan reports Trop Fort to be in fine shape as the novice takes on seasoned campaigners.

"He's fit and well and is in great form at home," said the Vale of Glamorgan trainer.

"We don't know where we are with the handicap. He won two level weights novice events so we'll learn more about his mark. I'm a little bit concerned as to how he will handle the heavy ground. He has run on soft but whether he will relish this ground is anyone's guess.

"He's got a nice racing weight and hopefully in those conditions it gives more of an advantage to the lower weights. He's a little bit out of the handicap so we thought we'd take 3lb off (with Michael Byrne). It makes sense."

Donald McCain is hoping Hollow Tree's course and distance success will stand him in good stead.

"He deserves his place. He won down there last season, it's a good competitive race but he's every right to be there," said the Cholmondeley trainer.

"He should handle the ground OK."