led into start, raced freely, led before 2nd, clear after next, hit 4th, came back to others when blundered 7th, hampered 4 out, weakened next
in rear, not fluent 2nd, behind 6th, pulled up before 4 out
led, jumped left 1st, headed before next, chased leader who went clear after 3rd, closed 7th, led after 8th until fell 4 out
held up in 4th, hit 6th, closed next, chased winner after 4 out, blundered 3 out, no impression from next
prominent, settled in 3rd from 2nd, closed 7th, challenging when left in lead 4 out, drew clear from 2 out, eased towards finish
Lord Singer won a chase at Fakenham in January but has been well beaten in a couple of starts since. Today's faster ground may see him improve, but PLAYING WITH FIRE is preferred. She scored at Leicester last Tuesday on only her third start over fences and a 7lb penalty may not be enough to prevent Robin Dickin's mare from going in again. Arctic Ben has registered a good second at Taunton in between two modest efforts and he needs to be more consistent, while Trooper Clarence and Quinola Des Obeaux look to have plenty to find in this company.
Lord Singer (FR) 11-2 (11-5) Led at strong pace, clear before 3rd, hit 8th and next, reduced lead before 3 out, mistake 2 out, headed well before last, lost 2nd before last, weakened, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Russian Flag (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Quinola Des Obeaux (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Si Bien (11-0) at Newcastle 2m beg chase (4) sft in Jan, 5 ran.
Arctic Ben (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Pulled hard, held up in rear until pulled way up to lead 3rd and clear after next, jumped slowly and reduced lead 10th, headed after 13th, soon weakened and eased, tailed off, 4th of 6, 48l behind As De Fer (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Playing With Fire (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) Made all, not fluent 2nd, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy beating Nous Voila (10-11) by 6l, 5 ran.
Trooper Clarence 11-2 (11-5) Held up in last trio, headway 6th, travelling well when mistake 9th, ridden in 5th soon after, one pace in 4th and no impression when went left 3 out, plugged on one pace, 4th of 8, 7l behind Golden Duck (11-9) at Ludlow 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
