Charmer will be sharper on shorter trip

Tizzard drops his nine-year-old back to winning distance at Exeter

FLAMING CHARMER can benefit from a drop in distance to regain winning ways in the Clarion Defence & Security Handicap Chase at Chepstow.

The last time Colin Tizzard’s nineyear-old tasted success was over this distance last December at Exeter.

He has been tackling further of late and put in a respectable display to be beaten only two lengths by Paddy The Oscar over two miles seven-and-a-half furlongs on this course on his seasonal reappearance.

Flaming Charmer should be sharper for the outing and can go one better.

LEVEL OF INTENSITY can continue Nigel Hawke’s fine record at Hexham by taking his unbeaten record over jumps to two in the Happy Retirement Brian Towns Juvenile Hurdle.

The Devon trainer has had three winners from just six runners that have made the 750-mile round trip to the Northumberland venue in the last five seasons.

Level Of Intensity can improve that already impressive strike-rate by supplementing his Sedgefield victory last month on his first start since leaving Jim Bolger’s stable in Ireland.

Lucinda Russell makes the trip from Milnathort with four of her hopes, with

Celtic Flames likely to run favourite JUST MINDED close. SELECTIONS:

CHEPSTOW: 12.45 Western Ryder, 1.15 Doctor Haze, 1.50 Soiesauvage, 2.25 Capote, 3.00 Fille Des Champs, 3.30 FLAMING CHARMER (NAP), 4.00 With Pleasure.

HEXHAM: 12.25 Level Of Intensity, 12.55 Just Minded, 1.30 Echo Express, 2.00 Hattons Hill, 2.35 Clan Legend, 3.10 Very First Time, 3.40 Wasowski.

DOUBLE: Flaming Charmer and Level Of Intensity.

Colin Tizzard: sends out Flaming Charmer for seasonal bow.