DARK AMBER is entitled to respect when she runs in the National Eisteddfod of Wales Fillies' Handicap at Chepstow's evening meeting.

Brendan Powell's mare must give weight away to the entire field but she is a very decent horse at the right level.

That claim was evidenced at Goodwood last August when she won a tight nine-furlong handicap by a neck off just a 1lb higher mark.

The ground was soft that day but she has also demonstrated an aptitude for quicker conditions after having claimed victory at Newbury last July.

Dark Amber has hardly yanked up too many giant oaks this spring but there were a few signs at Ascot last month that she is coming back into form.

Not much was expected of the six-year-old daughter of Sakhee as she was sent on her way at odds of 33-1.

And even though she never really came close to troubling the judge, the manner in which Dark Amber stuck to her job, eventually finishing sixth, was mildly heartening.

With this in mind, the step back up to a mile and a quarter – allied to a dip in grade and the relief of a further 2lb off her back – can help her get back on the straight and narrow.

That Powell has gone out of his way to appoint Fran Berry can also be viewed upon as a signal of intent, hence today's nap selection.

TASTE THE WINE should also go well at a decent price in the concluding National Eisteddfod of Wales Day Handicap.

Bernard Llewellyn's grey is a regular at the Monmouthshire circuit – this will be his 18th start at the track – and he is expected to have improved immeasurably for a proverbial pipe-opener over course and distance in April.

The fast-ground-loving 10-year-old is obviously not getting any younger but he is a bit of a mini-maestro when it comes to staying handicaps at Chepstow.

Taste The Wine won a similar race by a neck last June and races here off just a 1lb higher mark. And with jockey Jordan Williams taking off a very handy 7lb, he looks an awfully tempting proposition.

HULCOLT can strengthen his impressive Beverley record by winning the James "Doug" Norris Is 60 Today Handicap under Graham Gibbons.

Ivan Furtado's three-times course winner showed good early pace on the Westwood last week but, perhaps understandably, wilted at the business end on what was his first start since last September.

Certainly not out of it from a handicap perspective, expect a far sharper animal now he has got faster ground.

EDMUND is not one to trust implicitly but he bounded back into the game at Sedgefield late last month and must be shortlisted upon his return to County Durham for the Paxtons & Case IH A Winning Team Handicap Chase.

LILYWHITE GESTURE has a fine chance in the Martin Orange 40th Birthday Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Southwell, while FIGHT COMMANDER is definitely worth a bash in the Montague Inn Handicap Chase at Wincanton.