After last week’s washout, racing’s back with a bang at Warwick and Kempton. Big handicap action, plus an insight into the Brown Advisory Chase at Warwick and the Ryanair picture at Kempton. It’s a busy day, so Four To Follow is here to help for the big races.
Warwick
Tough To The Core
2:24 – Hampton Novices’ Chase (Grade Two) – Apple Away @ 9/4 (BetVictor, Boylesports)
Despite five runners, it’s a fascinating renewal for the future staying chasers. Apple Away looks to have her way on the soft ground, as she relished last time out when winning for the first time over fences. She’s up to three miles this time, which will suit her better than the trip in the graduation chase won by Grey Dawning, who she faces today.
Grey Dawning seemed to suit the two-and-half-mile trip better and Broadway Boy no longer has the luxury of Cheltenham to help him.
Back To Port
3:00 – Classic Handicap Chase (Premier) – Beauport @ 10/1 (William Hill)
In the mud and the rain, Truckers Lodge was a deserved winner of the London National at Sandown, but in behind Beauport showed bags of potential. If not for pecking on landing at the second last, the winning margin may have been a lot shorter. Despite not having won at this marathon distance, Beauport has plenty of talent. Soft ground may make it easier for him and the Twiston-Davies team are the top strikers at Warwick this season.
Fontaine Collonges had an easy day out in front in the Rowland Meyrick on Boxing Day. She had her conditions, and none of her rivals could lay a glove. For that she’s been raised a steep seven pounds. But in recent years, those high in the weights have found a way to sneak into the top four, and Venetia Williams’ mud lover shouldn’t have a problem at 17/2 (General).
Laura Morgan’s Percussion has been found over the National fences at Aintree recently. Placed twice, you would think this would be a prep race for the nine-year-old. He has to find something to get in, and he has a fighting chance on the soft ground. There’s no question either about the trip, although he was racing in the slop last time out in the Becher Chase. 14/1 (BetVictor) is great each-way price.
Kempton
Bridge Over Standing Water
2:07 – Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade Two) – Banbridge @ 5/2 (William Hill)
I’ve missed Banbridge. One of my favourite horses in training is back and should be firing. He’s got his ground after missing the 2023 Turners’ Novice Chase due to soft ground, and it seems Kempton has been unaffected by the deluges we’ve had.
Three Grade One winners go head to head, but I have doubts about Edwardstone. Might the step up in trip come too late in his career? Pic D’Orhy demolished a poor field last year and this will be a much stiffer task. Don’t discount Notlongtillmay. Second in the Turners’, he has form from the November Gold Cup to go on and may be worth a reverse forecast with Banbridge.
Imposing Figure
2:42 – Lanzarote Hurdle – Impose Toi @ 100/30 (Betfred, Boylesports, BetUK)
The Lanzarote is not one of my favourite handicaps of the season, but this year looks a decent enough renewal. Impose Toi was only beaten by a neck at Ascot before Christmas and only receives three pounds for it. It doesn’t put him at the top of the handicap and James Bowen, now the Henderson number one, comes over to take the ride instead of the option of Warwick.
Good Luck Charm raced a blinder at Cheltenham to finish third in a Mares’ Handicap Hurdle last time out. Back to today, she has a claimer on board which may prove to be a masterstroke by the trainer, Anthony Honeyball. She prefers give in the ground, which she’s got, and the market may be overlooking her at 12/1 (William Hill, Betfred).
Mothill comes into the race on a hattrick bid. Neil Mulholland’s horse is up two classes, which is usually a turn off, but he’s racing of his last winning mark now with a claimer aboard. He’s dominated his last two races, in the final stages, and may spring a shock at 16/1 (Betfred, Boylesports, BetUK).
The very best of luck!
