You need to be logged in to your Sky Poker account above to post discussions and comments.
You might need to refresh your page afterwards.
FIENDISH FLAME has been crying out for the return to a right-handed track and although his profile is decidedly patchy, he looks well worth chancing in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at Leicester today (2.00) now he’s going the right way round again. He was a useful chaser for Donald McCain last season, third to Woolcombe Folly in a decent Cheltenham handicap chase around a year ago, but his jumping let him down afterwards, his only good subsequent effort coming the only time he faced a right-handed track, when he shaped well at Market Rasen under a big weight. He has dropped to a career-low mark here and gave the impression he retains plenty of ability for his new and very capable yard at Haydock last time, setting a good gallop but repeatedly jumping to the right and also going very wide at the first turn. In the circumstances he probably did quite well to lead until three out, and although he’s a bit of an enigma, going right-handed really does look the way forward with him. Kells Belle is clearly a worthy favourite after a fine effort in a hot Cheltenham handicap on her reappearance, but if Fiendish Flame puts it all together he definitely has the ability to win off his current mark and he looks better value.
CHJIMES (Wolverhampton 6.30) isn’t as good or as consistent as he once was, but he hit form on his fourth start last winter and three or four of his efforts from January and February this year would give him a good chance here. He needs a strong pace at this trip these days, but should get that with stable mate Grudge in the line-up, and with two or three more in the line-up that tend to contest the lead, this could be a strongly-run race that suits a late finisher, that always the ideal scenario for Chjimes; he gave a hint that he might be about to return to form with some late progress last time and from stall 1 might be able to get involved in the finish at big odds.
2pts win FIENDISH FLAME (7-1 general)
1pt each-way CHJIMES (25-1 bet365, Boylesports, Coral, Stan James, 20-1 general)
Comments