FLAKE'S superior speed could prove decisive in the outcome of Market Rasen's Betfred Nationwide Handicap Hurdle.

In a race where many of the leading protagonists might find the extended two-mile-one-furlong contest an insufficient test of stamina, Flake's (4.30) fleetness of foot may empower him to kick clear once heads turn for home.

Sue Smith's son of Zilzal landed some hefty bets when picking up an identical standard event at Wetherby last month, a victory for which he has been upped 6lb in the weights.

Such a hike is hardly the equivalent of bolting a ten-ton anchor to Flake's tail, in fact given the good form of his stable he might well shrug off the penalty with embarrassing ease.

Vicars Destiny (4.00) won't necessarily require divine assistance in order to end a losing sequence stretching back the best part of two years.

Her last triumph came over track and trip in May 2004 when, having won by 11 lengths, Vicars Destiny paid the price by being raised 13lb to a mark which made the mare a sitting duck, rather than a live competitor.

It's taken an awful long time, but the handicapper has finally relented and dropped Sue Lamyman's raider down to the sort of rating from which she's capable of getting her head to the fore again.

Best bet at Fakenham is New Perk (3.20), successful on his previous three visits to the course for Matt Gingell, who trains just down the road and is understandably the darling of the local punters at present.

* Hexham Steeplechase Company, the managing executive of Hexham racecourse, have been fined £7,000 by the Jockey Club's disciplinary panel for breaching medical regulations on September 30 last year.

They were found to have flouted the regulations concerning the Club's requirements for the provision of racecourse medical services and the responsibilities of racecourse medical officers and other medical staff.

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