Former Grade 1 winner Slate House returns to chasing off a career-low mark

Saturday: 3.15 WincantonArt Of Outdoor With Ocean Handicap Chase | 2m4f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Courses change, especially jumps tracks, and there has been a creeping sense over the last couple of seasons that Wincanton is perhaps not the imposing jumping test over fences that it once was.

That is no bad thing, speed tracks like this have to be careful about making the fences too stiff as they already have one major risk factor for fallers built in. It does change the sort of horse you might be looking for in races like this.

Slate House, for instance, would have been an early casualty to the thick black line had this race been a few years ago. He got round and finished third in this race last year and returns, sporting blinkers for the first time, off a mark that is 16lb lower. With his yard in better heart now too, this noted talent is a player.

A couple of other potential players are changing distance. Stolen Silver goes up in trip, which seems sensible enough on his Henry VIII run, when he could not lay up against good 2m novices. Killer Clown comes back from 2m6½f and wears a tongue-tie, although an aggressive ride seems as likely a culprit for his weak finish last time and he has generally appealed as more of a stayer.

The name that jumps off the page is Mont Des Avaloirs. This free-going sort is 5lb lower than when he looked booked for second on his most recent start in a good race at Chepstow, when he fell at the last. The only problem is that was 455 days ago.

However, note that Paul Nicholls has not had a runner since January 1. He gives his horses their flu jabs this week and tends to go quiet for a few days. Bringing one back from a long layoff on the other side of that, in a televised race at his local track, strikes as a significant move, especially as Mont Des Avaloirs is so interesting in general.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

'In my eyes he was going to be a top two-mile novice'

Stolen Silver has been something of an enigma this season but trainer Sam Thomas is determined to see the best from his promising novice chaser as he steps up in trip on Saturday.

The 145-rated seven-year-old was unable to keep pace with the classy Edwardstone in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase last time and ditches two miles in favour of this longer test, in which he benefits from the first-time booking of 3lb claimer Jack Tudor.

Stolen Silver: is to step up in trip with three miles in mind for the futureCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I started the season thinking he was an out-and-out two-miler but I'm starting to realise now he might appreciate a step up in trip," Thomas said. "In my eyes he was going to be potentially a top two-mile novice but he didn't really take off with that same sort of zest at Cheltenham in November and at Sandown in the Grade 1.

"I'm starting to think he'll probably stay three miles, if I'm honest. We'll be looking forward to getting him back over two and a half miles and seeing how he gets on returning to handicap company. The 3lb off will be a good help and Jack is a top jockey."

What they say

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Killer Clown
He's in great form. I put the cheekpieces on him at Newbury and he just did too much and didn't get to the end of his race. We've left those off and got a tongue-tie on this time, which has definitely helped at home. He's in good nick and I'm really looking forward to seeing him run. He'll love Wincanton and his jumping is great, but I'm hoping we don't get the world of rain overnight.

Joe Tizzard, assistant trainer of Slate House
He's got first-time blinkers on, which he's been schooling very well in and should bring that last little bit out of him. He's dropped to a mark where he's more than capable of performing at. We've been a bit disappointed with him in his last couple of runs but this is a nice race for him and he should be competitive.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Notre Pari
He was flat out from the moment he jumped off at Cheltenham last time and this step back up in trip will suit. A flat track should benefit him as I don't think he was able to get up the hill at Carlisle when he looked like he'd win at the bottom of it. Hopefully he can put behind him a poor run last time and I would think he'd have an each-way chance.
Reporting by Catherine Macrae

Saturday's race previews:

1.50 Sandown: trainer sees 'no negatives' for our expert's fancy in competitive handicap chase

2.25 Sandown: 'I hope it wasn't a flash in the pan' – Nicky Henderson on Constitution Hill

2.40 Wincanton: 'Absolute star' Getalead gunning for fourth win for up-and-coming yard

3.00 Sandown: 'This has been on the radar for a long time' – golden oldies take centre stage

3.35 Sandown: which handicap hurdler does the trainer believe to be 'very well handicapped'?

Upping The Ante star Gavin Lynch joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.