15:15 Warwick

Saturday 8 February 2020

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

Paddy Power From The Horses Mouth Warwick Castle Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 5m 5.2s

Gala Ball^p1³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 148| D

12/1

Lightly raced but accrued a fine record over fences with three wins and five places in nine starts. Won again last time out when narrowly outpointing Le Rocher over this trip at Wincanton and raised just 2lb he's a big player again.

Form: 22/21-01

Belami Des Pictons^p1⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 144| BF| C| D

10/3

Talented but fragile sort suggested himself well handicapped with unlucky fourth in valuable BetVictor Gold Cup first time out but disappointed next as favourite at Kempton. Still believe there's a big day in him.

Form: 112/P-48

Two Taffs^t⁷⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 143| D

9/2

Quite respectable third in Grade 2 hurdle on return from 735 day absence but lesser effort next in uber-competitive Ladbrokes Trophy over fences. Major player here down in class and trip with 2017 form suggesting him now well treated.

Form: 3312/30

Clondaw Castle⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 143

11/2

Fourth in Arkle and Maghull Novices' Chase last spring showed his ability and just touched off first time out this season in valuable Ascot handicap before disappointing on soft upped to 2m4f. Worth another go here on favoured ground; contender.

Form: 1144-29

King Of Realms^b1²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Ian Williams| OR: 138| C

3/1

Two chase wins both came over 3m one of which was on this course. Not performed in two starts over the distance this season however so comes here with a few questions to answer.

Form: 1421-04

Katpoli^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: D A Jacob| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 138

6/1

Won twice in four starts this season as a novice with 1m7f win at Wetherby last time out suggesting he might stay a little further. This is a considerable rise in class so must stay every yard to be competitive.

Form: 5P-5171

Generous Day⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 134| C| D

16/1

Won twice over 2m here last season and impressive over 2m4½f at Kempton in November before pulling up at Cheltenham. Return to flatter track could help but handicapper may have caught up.

Form: 171-81P

Northern Beau^b,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 130| D

16/1

Gained fourth chase success with Cheltenham win in December before fourth there over hurdles latest. 5lb higher today but undoubtedly a better chaser so not entirely ruled out although 2m4f not ideal for her front-running tactics.

Form: 31P614

Forecasts

King Of Realms (3/1), Belami Des Pictons (10/3), Two Taffs (9/2), Clondaw Castle (11/2), Katpoli (6/1), Gala Ball (12/1), Northern Beau (16/1), Generous Day (16/1)

A really competitive contest this with preference for two handicappers who rather disappointed last time out after running big races in defeat the time before. Preference is for CLONDAW CASTLE who ran a blinder behind now 156-rated Diego Du Charmil first time out. Although he must prove he stays beyond 2m he did win a 3m point earlier in his career. Belami Des Pictons caught many an eye when fourth in the BetVictor Gold Cup after a long layoff hence him being made favourite next time out. A return to 2m4f here may make the difference. Progressive Gala Ball and potentially well-handicapped Two Taffs are also realistic contenders.