Swincombe Flame torches opposition

Just 12 months on from the victory of James De Vassy, the mare crept in off bottom weight to win as the well-backed 9-2 favourite.

Her army of followers must have feared the worst as Featherbed Lane went past approaching the last but, as that one idled on the run-in, Swincombe Flame got up to win in a photo, despite a mistake at the final flight.

Act Of Kalanisi was third with Well Regarded fourth.

Afterwards, Kennedy said: “It’s brilliant to win this race as I’ve had some ups and downs this season. Nick has been very supportive and given me a few nice rides.

“I won it for him last year and now this year, so hopefully we can go on and make it three.”

Owner Malcolm Yeo, a farmer based in North Devon, said: “Earlier in the season I didn’t want her to be taken too far away, so we kept her at Exeter and Wincanton, but Nick won this last year and he was keen to take her here. Nick fancies a mares’ race at Sandown at the beginning of March. We’d like to go to Cheltenham, but that is something we will sit down and sort out.”

At Warwick, Hey Big Spender defied top weight to win the Betfred Classic Chase for Colin and Joe Tizzard.

Winner of the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle earlier in the season, the nine-year-old fell in the Welsh National last time out.

Given a patient ride by Joe Tizzard as Hello Bud adopted his usual front-running tactics, he crept into contention rounding the turn for home. Strongbows Legend and Fredo also held chances, but it was Hey Big Spender who proved toughest of them all to beat Fredo by three-quarters of a length.

Colin Tizzard said: “I don’t think we’ll be looking at the Grand National for him.

“He’ll be rated 160 after this and so I’ll go for the Gold Cup and hope the ground comes up heavy.”

n THIS afternoon’s meeting at Kelso is subject to an inspection at 7.45am. The course passed a check at 3.30pm yesterday but frost was forecast overnight.