14:00 Warwick

Thursday 25 January 2018

All12:5513:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Whitson Bloodstock Olly Murphy Racing Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 6m 55.10s

Swincombe Scorchio^t⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Gundry| OR: 120

9/1

Sole rules win was over 2m7½f (soft) at Chepstow in March from a 7lb lower mark. Handicapper asked a bit much of him next time and he has failed to complete his last two outings, but can't rule him out now dropped in class.

Form: 4214-PF

Millicent Silver^v²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 118| BF| C

12/1

Has won over 3m5½f on heavy ground, so relishes a test of stamina and has now dropped to just 1lb higher than when doing that at Bangor last spring. Should be better for reappearance over hurdles and is short-listed.

Form: 323PP-5

Whiskey Chaser^p²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 114

8/1

Consistent performer at this level whose most recent success was at Haydock (2m7f, heavy) in December from 5lb lower. Found it hard work back there over 3m3½f last time, but not ruled out if this shorter trip helps.

Form: 2P22-15

Yanmare^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 109| CD

7/2

Another consistent performer who came good again when stepped up to 3m6½f at Exeter (soft) last time. Won over C&D last season and a 4lb rise for his last success looks fair. Needs to improve to follow-up.

Form: 4223-F1

The Artful Cobbler⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: H D Daly| OR: 108

11/4

Handles very testing ground and was back to form last time with success at Ludlow (3m, good to soft). Up 7lb for that and his profile so far suggests that he may struggle to back it up from this mark.

Form: 4U3P-31

Gardiners Hill^t⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: D A Rees| OR: 106| DWS

12/1

Trip and ground ideal for this gelding who ran up a hat-trick this time last year and is still 4lb higher than the last of those wins. That shouldn't be beyond him, despite his recent record, if his wind op can yield immediate benefit. Check market.

Form: 43-60BP

Talk Of The South¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 96| D

11/4

Remains a maiden over fences, but has won over 3m1f on soft over hurdles. Placed in six of his 14 chases, including here from 19lb higher just 10 months ago. Out of sorts all starts this term, so has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 3P3U3P

Non-Runners

Water Wagtail³⁰

Weight: 10-9| Age: 11

T: Miss E C Lavelle J: Nick Scholfield

Forecasts

The Artful Cobbler (11/4), Talk Of The South (11/4), Yanmare (7/2), Water Wagtail (11/2), Whiskey Chaser (8/1), Swincombe Scorchio (9/1), Gardiners Hill (12/1), Millicent Silver (12/1)

If Talk Of The South could come back to anything like some form then he would give them all plenty to do from this mark, but recent efforts are discouraging and preference is for MILLICENT SILVER, who stays forever, acts on this sort of ground and should be spot on after her reappearance run. Swincombe Scorchio drops in class and a revival is not ruled out. Whiskey Chaser probably didn't stay in deep ground last time, but a quarter of a mile shorter trip could see him to better effect, while The Artful Cobbler is respected and a market check looks prudent with regard to Gardiners Hill.