Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I start my look ahead to the weekend’s big races with a preview of Saturday’s Classic Chase at Warwick.
If the weather plays ball, we’ve some good racing to look forward to at Warwick, Kempton and even Wetherby on Saturday.
ITV Racing are due to cover four races from Kempton, three from Warwick and one from Wetherby on an eight-race programme on Saturday afternoon.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend
The final entries for Saturday’s big races came out on Monday.
Only seven contenders remain in the Grade 2 Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton (2:05) after Monday's final confirmation stage. Despite the limited field, the lineup could boast three Grade 1 winners, C&D victor Pic D'Orhy, Edwardstone stepping up to 2m 4f, and the Irish challenger Banbridge, though the latter would ideally prefer better ground for his seasonal return.
While the Silviniaco Conti Chase isn’t the most lucrative race on the card, the Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (2:40) takes that honour, it remains an exciting contest. The Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle, with £100,000 in guaranteed prize money, attracted 24 entries at Monday's stage, creating a highly competitive field.
Warwick features its most valuable race of the year, the Wigley Group Classic Chase (3:00), a Premier Handicap run over 3m 5f has 21 entries. Like the Lanzarote it also boasts £100,000 in guaranteed prize money. The Warwick undercard includes the Grade 2 Trustatrader Hampton Court Novices' Chase (2:05) and the Veterans' Final Handicap Chase, rescheduled from Sandown's cancelled fixture last Saturday. The race is set to be run at 3:35 after the Classic Chase and will be live on ITV. Seventeen entries were left in the race at Tuesday’s final confirmation stage.
Wetherby's highlight is the Grade 2 William Hill Towton Novices' Chase (1:10), now contested over a shorter distance (2m 3 ½ f) compared to its previous three-mile format. With ten contenders remaining at Monday's final confirmation, notable entries include Colonel Harry, runner-up in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown last month, and the versatile mare Apple Away, who also holds an entry in the Warwick Novice Chase. The field may also feature the improving Trelawne and recent Leopardstown winner Meetingofthewaters.
Warwick: Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase
Looking at the race trends which contain 13 winners from 183 runners, 40 placed. Here are some key insights into age, odds and previous race performances.
Odds SP: 22/1 & bigger – 0 winners from 43 runners, 4 placed.
Horses Age: 10-year-old& older –1 winner from 41 runners, 5 placed.
Favourites: Clear & joint – 1 winner from 15 runners, 8 placed.
Best in Last Three Runs: Not First, Second or Third – 0 winners from 33 runners, 5 placed.
Odds SP Last Race: 16/1 & bigger – 1 winner from 51 runners, 8 placed.
Last Race Placing: Not first to five, fell, unseated rider, or pulled up – 0 winners from 36 runners, 3 placed.
Official Ratings: 133 to 140 – 8 winners from 75 runners, 22 placed.
Monbeg Genius Leads the Charge
Monbeg Genius heads the ante post betting. The 8-year-old has solid claims after his 10 ½ length 3rd of 20 in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last time. Add in last season’s 2 ¼ length 3rd of 20 in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Festival and you have a major contender who should be suited by the step up to 3m 5f. Whilst I have the utmost respect for him but at 5/1, I can look elsewhere for now.
Malina Girl's Irish Challenge
Irish challenger Malina Girl was going better than anything when falling three out in a race won by Broadway Boy at Cheltenham last time. If she’d stood up, I think she would have gone close to winning. She should be fine stamina wise as she won the Ulster National (3m 4 ½ f) last season. Trainer Gavin Cromwell’s record with UK runners in the last 90 days is 8 winners from 21 runners 38% +18.7, 11 placed. With an A/E at 1.80 the market hasn’t cottoned on to how well he’s being doing.
Broken Halo's Redemption Bid
Broken Halo was running well on seasonal return when falling two out in the London National at Sandown last month. His stamina for the distance has still to be proven but there’s a good chance he will. Trainer Paul Nicholls won this race back in 2015 and 2006/2007.
Beauport finished runner-up in the London National. He looked well suited to his first start over a marathon trip at Sandown. He’s less exposed than most of his rivals but I wonder if a patient hold-up ride will be a positive.
Galia Des Liteaux won a 3m Grade 2 novice chase on this card 12 months ago. The mare won a Listed mares only chase at Market Rasen on her return to action but was turned over at 2/5 at Newbury last month. A more strongly run race will suit the 7-year-old who is well suited to soft ground. Stamina to prove but there’s a decent chance she will stay 3m 5f.
It looks like Ted Walsh will bring over top weight Any Second Now. Sadly, that means course specialist Volcano will be 13lb out of the handicap. The 10-year-old has won five of his six starts over fences at the track including C&D. The only time he hasn’t won was when a 16 length fifth in last year’s race when he was 10lb out of the handicap. A bold jumper of a fence. He’ll likely come up short unless the weights rise but might sneak into the places.
Classic Chase Verdict:
It’s a race I will no doubt have a couple of darts although I haven’t yet. Monbeg Genius looks a worthy enough favourite but he’s too short for me at present. I think Malina Girl would have won at Cheltenham but for falling last time. Off the same mark she’s respected if coming over from Ireland, given her trainers record in the UK this season. If Broken Halo was to lineup, he would be of plenty of interest.
Wednesday Preview
Doncaster and Leicester are due to race over jumps this afternoon and there’s an all-weather card at Kempton this evening. I’m not sure if either of the jumps fixtures will take place but I’m hoping they can race at Doncaster. Now I had a couple of initial interest at Doncaster but I've decided to sit it out.
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John
Thank you John