15:55 Warwick

Monday 15 February 2021

All13:5014:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:00

Paddy Power Warwick Castle Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:06 | Winning time: 5m 20.54s

Aso⁷²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 155| C| D

12/1

Placed twice in the Ryanair but essentially below his best last term and he arrives here on the back of a heavy fall in the Becher 72 days ago. Yard in great nick but veteran has something to prove.

Form: 3547-7F

Mister Whitaker^p¹⁰⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Adrian Heskin| T: M R Channon| OR: 152| D

14/1

Smart chaser who was third off this mark in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival last season. Not seen since fair sixth in Charlie Hall at Wetherby but goes well fresh so he's worth considering.

Form: P1/5P3-6

Two For Gold^p1³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 149| BF| C| D

7/2

Completed hat-trick last season when winning a Grade 2 novice over 3m here. Good placed efforts on 2 of 3 starts in handicaps this term, though jumping flaws are starting to creep in. Headgear fitted.

Form: 112-2P3

Spiritofthegames⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 147| D

12/1

Regular in competitive handicaps and returned at the top of his game when second at Cheltenham. Failed to convince over 3m next time but this test more suitable.

Form: 0226-24

Le Patriote^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 146| D

9/1

Smart over hurdles and has made a successful switch to fences this season, winning small-field novices at Market Rasen/Hereford. Flying too high in Grade 1 at Ascot last time but this more realistic.

Form: 40-1316

Oldgrangewood⁸⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 146| D

6/1

Beneficiary of wind surgery last term, winning handicaps at Newbury and Cheltenham. Solid efforts when fourth both starts this term so he's in the mix once more.

Form: 3114-44

Gala Ball^p³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 146| D

33/1

Lightly raced in recent seasons but confirmed himself as good as ever when runner-up on return at Newbury (19.8f) in November. Below par at Wincanton next time but type to bounce back.

Form: 1/014-25

Admiral's Secret⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 141| D

16/1

Has his quirks but ended last season winning at Leicester and Wincanton and carried on where he left off when successful on return at Ludlow, defying a career-high mark. Squiggle now removed.

Form: R2211-1

Flowery¹⁰⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 139| D

16/1

Has been a revelation for this yard for all he has quirks and ran up to best when second in a 16.5f handicap at Ayr on return. Still low mileage and likely to give running once more. Front runner.

Form: 11/221-2

Smarty Wild³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137| D

7/2

Good hurdles strike rate and off the mark over fences in 20.5f Kempton handicap 37 days ago, jumping better than previously. Enthusiastic sort who remains of interest in handicaps.

Form: 46-3431

Another Crick⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: P J Brennan| T: Noel Williams| OR: 134| D

12/1

A chaser going places when last seen in early 2019, winning handicaps at Newbury and Kempton. Off 21 months but shaped as if retaining ability back over hurdles at Uttoxeter. Interesting.

Form: 82211/2

Louis' Vac Pouch²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: P A Kirby| OR: 128

20/1

Fairly useful winning hurdler/chaser though not made a significant impact so far this campaign, well-held seventh in Ascot handicap last month. Others preferred.

Form: 7-7F777

Non-Runners

Sir Jack Yeats⁴⁴

Weight: 10-0| Age: 10

T: R Spencer J: James Best

Forecasts

Two For Gold (7/2), Smarty Wild (7/2), Oldgrangewood (6/1), Le Patriote (9/1), Aso (12/1), Another Crick (12/1), Spiritofthegames (12/1), Mister Whitaker (14/1), Sir Jack Yeats (14/1), Admiral's Secret (16/1), Flowery (16/1), Louis' Vac Pouch (20/1), Gala Ball (33/1)

There are some familiar names who have had plenty of chances in this sort of contest, but novice SMARTY WILD has more scope for improvement than most and he jumped much better when scoring at Kempton last month. Another Crick shaped well after a long absence at Uttoxeter and is another who remains unexposed back over fences. Oldgrangewood looks best of the veterans and should go well again.