15:00 Warwick

Saturday 16 January 2021

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

McCoy Contractors Civil Engineering Classic Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 7m 44.20s

Ballyoptic^t⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 160

28/1

Very smart on his day, winning Charlie Hall and 3m handicap at Ascot (both heavy) last season. Not at his best in 2 starts so far this term but this less demanding and conditions are in his favour.

Form: 1401-P0

Walk In The Mill^b1⁴²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 149| BF

25/1

Has excelled over the National fences in recent seasons, winning 2 of the last 3 renewals of the Becher Chase. Fell in this season's race but yard in good form and blinkers may put an edge on him now.

Form: 4/P12-7F

The Hollow Ginge^v⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 143

12/1

Very useful staying chaser on his day, doing best of those held up when fourth in Ladbrokes Trophy (26f) on his penultimate start. Unseated in Welsh National since but he's not one to dismiss lightly.

Form: 71P-U4U

Storm Control^p,t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 142

11/2

Useful chaser who has proved better than ever up in trip this season, landing back-to-back Cheltenham handicaps in recent months. Fact he idled markedly latest suggests 5 lb rise may be within reach

Form: P3-7311

Le Breuil⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 140| BF| CWS

7/2

Smart staying chaser who landed NH Chase at Cheltenham in 2019. Solid efforts in defeat both starts this term, better than the result when third in Becher at Aintree last month. Possibilities.

Form: P750-43

Notachance⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 139

7/2

Low-mileage 7-y-o who posted career-best display on back of 10 months off to score at Bangor (3m) in November, jumping soundly and staying on well. Even longer trip worth exploring on that evidence.

Form: 1/2152-1

Late Romantic^p,t⁴⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-3| J: P J Brennan| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 137

20/1

Veteran who shrugged aside a disappointing reappearance when getting up late in Haydock veterans' event (heavy) at the start of last month. However, this requires more from career-high mark.

Form: 5421-P1

Captain Chaos^b⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136

7/1

Good second in this race 12 months ago prior to facile success in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster. Well below best in trio of starts this term but mark has eased and better expected in refitted blinkers.

Form: P21-PP0

Achille^p⁴²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 133

12/1

Progressed well during 2018/19 campaign, winning 3 of his 5 starts at around 3m. Good second in Grade handicap at Cheltenham in November 2019 and whilst absent since he's gone well fresh previously.

Form: 211P1/2-

Red Infantry^p⁴⁴⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 133| C

50/1

Course winner who last tasted success at Haydock in November 2018. Last seen running respectably in fifth at Cheltenham 15 months ago so likely to need this outing after a lengthy absence.

Form: 125U7/5-

Django Django^p1¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: R Johnson| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132

7/1

Better than ever when opening chase account in 3m Newbury handicap 12 months ago but he's disappointed since, beaten when blundering 3 out back at that venue last month. Cheekpieces reached for.

Form: P14-0P5

Didero Vallis⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: T Scudamore| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 130| BF

25/1

Dual winner over fences in 2018 and not disgraced after 10 months off when sixth in 3m Ascot handicap on return. Lacklustre display in Grand Sefton at Aintree but bounce back certainly not ruled out.

Form: 5/P52-68

Petite Power^p⁴³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122

50/1

Veteran who cashed in off lower marks last winter prior to solid placed efforts (third in this race 12 months ago). Not at his best so far this campaign and he's operating from out of weights here.

Form: 23P-047

Forecasts

Notachance (7/2), Le Breuil (7/2), Storm Control (11/2), Captain Chaos (7/1), Django Django (7/1), Achille (12/1), The Hollow Ginge (12/1), Late Romantic (20/1), Didero Vallis (25/1), Walk In The Mill (25/1), Ballyoptic (28/1), Red Infantry (50/1), Petite Power (50/1)

A really intriguing contest with the vote in favour of NOTACHANCE. A low-mileage 7-y-o, he took another step forward when successful on return at Bangor in November in a race that is working out (third that day finished runner-up in Welsh National) and he may well have more to offer now his stamina is drawn out further. Storm Control, The Hollow Ginge and Captain Chaos head up the dangers.