We look ahead to Saturday's Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick with a horse-by-horse guide to the final field.
Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase
When: 3.00, Saturday January 14
Where: Warwick
First prize: £56,950
TV: ITV4 & Racing TV (Sky 426)
Threeunderthrufive (Paul Nicholls)
Made a mistake and unseated at the first fence in the Coral Gold Cup which had looked his big early-season target after a fairly encouraging hurdles run at Wetherby first time back. Still unexposed and he was 4-6 over fences last season, but mark of 151 does look stiff enough.
Dingo Dollar (Sandy Thomson)
Beat last weekend's Sandown winner Wishing And Hoping on his return to action at Aintree in October but couldn't build on that when sixth of nine behind L'Homme Presse off 5lb higher in the Rehearsal at Newcastle. Assessor has only given him 1lb back so clearly facing a stiff enough task given he's now 11 years of age and thoroughly exposed after 20 runs over fences.
Iwilldoit (Sam Thomas)
Long time off the track so clearly had his issues but he returned from another layoff to win back-to-back races last December, including the Welsh Grand National when seriously impressive under a feather weight. Runs off 7lb higher here but leading claims if fit and well as he's got loads of stamina and is pretty versatile ground-wise.
Lord du Mesnil (Richard Hobson)
Made a name for himself when rattling off a hat-trick on bad ground at Newcastle and Haydock a few seasons ago before being touched off in the Grand National Trial at the latter venue (went one better the following year). Filled the runner-up spot behind subsequent Coral Gold Cup winner Le Milos at Bangor when last seen, still fairly treated on old form and could be suited by this track, but it's been nearly two years since his last win.
Fortescue (Henry Daly)
Fitting of cheekpieces for the first time in the Welsh National didn't go at all to plan but pulling up there has resulted in him being dropped a couple of pounds and he's back on his last winning mark (143). Shaped quite well when fourth in the Becher two starts ago as well so every reason to expect a big run given his yard still seems to be going exceptionally well.
Mr Incredible (Willie Mullins)
Moody character and a worrying number of letters, rather than numbers, in his recent form string, although not a lot could be done when brought down on his stable debut at Leopardstown over Christmas. The fact he was only 7/1 for that hugely competitive race (Paddy Power Handicap Chase) shows he's clearly thought to be well enough handicapped, it's just whether his jumping can hold up around here. The jury is out for the time being.
Grumpy Charley (Chris Honour)
Held in high regard and clearly has a touch of class, staying on resolutely to record his third chase success on his second start of the current campaign at Newbury last month. Raised 6lb for that narrow win so he's not exactly been missed but revised rating looks just about within range and he'll enjoy them going flat out around here.
Commodore (Venetia Williams)
Has won around here over fences in the past, though he's struggled with consistency since and last season's runaway Cheltenham triumph was his first success since March 2019. Handicapper still looks in command based on last month's fifth back at Prestbury Park (race he won last term) and others make more appeal despite this track suiting prominent racers.
Nestor Park (Ben Pauling)
Not many miles on the clock for one of his vintage although perhaps not quite won as many races as his ability suggests he should. Tends to run his race which means he doesn't get a lot of respite from the handicapper and he'll need to find a touch more to shift from each-way player into the genuine contender category.
Notachance (Alan King)
Not disgraced on seasonal return when fourth behind Le Milos in Bangor event which usually works out well and has done so again this time around. Could manage only eighth in this event last year but he won it narrowly in 2021 and the handicapper has given him a chance again in easing him to a mark of 130, 9lb lower than that aforementioned success.
Wouldubewell (Emma Lavelle)
Stamina possibly stretched to the limit in the Welsh Grand National last month but still ran well for a long way, ending up sixth. Dropped a couple of pounds for that which helps her cause here and it's not hard to see her really taking to the place if there's rain around (unsettled forecast). Yard won this with Shotgun Paddy (2014) and Eclair Surf last year so chance it's been on the radar for a little while.
Grand Mogul (Gail Haywood)
Started out with Gordon Elliott but swiftly switched to Nicky Henderson for whom he won a maiden hurdle and a novices' handicap chase. Made debut for current yard when third at a big price at Chepstow last month and dropped 4lb on the back of it. Would likely need a new career-best to win this and, while he's still very lightly raced, others look a lot more solid when it comes to striking a bet.
Guetapan Collonges (Charlie Longsdon)
On a bit of a roll early last year before falling at Sedgefield in March but it was good to see him back on the right track with a course win over the extended three miles here in early-November. Runs off 6lb higher which looks fair as the third and fourth have franked the form with subsequent wins. Returns after another break and interesting to see what he has to offer over marathon distances this year.
Volcano (Sheila Lewis)
Clearly a bit of a legend for his yard and he won over this course and distance last March to extend his perfect track record to 4-4. Only 5lb higher than for that latest success and recent evidence suggests he could be coming to the boil again. Might just lack the raw class of some of these but likely to give it a good shot from a prominent pitch under a low weight.
Conclusion
Always a fascinating contest and the one who immediately leaps off the page is Iwilldoit who hasn't been sighted since landing the 2021 Welsh National in pretty taking fashion. It's hard to be confident about him after such a long time off but he merits his share of respect.
Fortescue ran quite poorly in the same Chepstow contest this time around but if you excuse him that he looks on a dangerous mark based on last season's peak form, while the relatively unexposed Grumpy Charlie remains fairly treated up 6lb for his Newbury win in the Mandarin.
Combining a progressive profile and the prospect of further improvement over marathon distances, GUETAPAN COLLONGES ticks plenty of the right boxes and he's been kept fresh for this since winning with a little bit up his sleeve on his comeback at this course in November.
The third and fourth have franked that piece of form since and a 6lb rise in the ratings for Charlie Longsdon's horse sees him sneak into this at the bottom of the weights and looking a major threat to all.
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