'He seems in great form' - Messire Des Obeaux returns after latest setback

Saturday: 1.30 Wincanton
Virgin Bet Handicap Chase | 2m4f | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

Paul Nicholls trained the winner of this race in 2021 and in the previous five runnings was responsible for the favourite. It is doubtful that any of those market leaders were as well handicapped as Magic Saint might be.

Less than two years ago, Magic Saint finished second in the Silver Trophy at Cheltenham off a mark of 157. He has run only four times since, and not in 343 days, yet his mark has fallen by a stone. On top of that, emerging conditional rider Freddie Gingell takes off another 7lb. Clearly, plenty of forgiveness is required, but no-one could blame a fellow punter for being tempted.

While Magic Saint is undoubtedly dropping in grade, this is a concentrated field. Messire Des Obeaux is also coming off a long absence but has won a Grade 2 over course and distance. Small fields and soft ground tend to get the best out of Kiltealy Briggs, who won a Class 2 handicap two runs ago.

Most interesting of all is Celebre D'Allen. He runs here rather than in the veterans' final at Sandown, presumably because connections abandoned the project of turning him into a stayer. He was ante-post favourite for a Cheltenham Festival handicap at this trip in March, running a creditable race to finish fifth, and remains unexposed as 11-year-olds go.

The field is rounded off by Galahad Quest, much the youngest of them at seven, and Elixir De Nutz. Both have claims on form, although Elixir De Nutz can be buzzy over shorter trips and may find testing ground and first-time cheekpieces scupper his chances of seeing it out. Galahad Quest may also benefit from a drop back in trip, at least in the short term.

In fairness to Galahad Quest, much the same could have been said of Magic Saint at a similar stage in his career. It seems that whichever of the six you side with in this race, it will require something of a leap of faith.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

King excited to get Messire back on track

Winning the 2021 Dipper Novices' Chase at this track with the fragile Messire Des Obeaux was a remarkable training feat by Alan King and the Grade 1 winner is back following another period on the sidelines.

The 11-year-old has been plagued by injury since winning the 2016 Challow Novices' Hurdle and has not been seen since finishing third behind L'Homme Presse at Ascot in December 2021.

King said: "It will be lovely to get him back on track. He's done a lot of work, he schooled on Monday and seems to be in great form.

"He won twice at the track during the 2020-2021 season, including a Grade 2 after more than 1,000 days off, but he suffered a further setback on his only start last season."

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Magic Saint
He's had a few issues hence he hasn't run for a while and he might just improve for it. He does like Wincanton but might not want too much rain to come overnight.

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Kiltealy Briggs
He's in great order. He won a decent race at Market Rasen and backed it up with a good performance at Aintree. This race looks slightly weaker, so a reproduction of those two efforts should see him run well off this sort of mark.

Joe Tizzard, trainer of Elixir De Nutz
We're putting cheekpieces on and I think two and a half miles round Wincanton will suit him. He was unlucky not to win at Doncaster last time and I'll be disappointed if he's not there or thereabouts at the finish.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Celebre D'Allen
We hope they get the rain as softer ground would suit him better. We thought he was ready at Warwick but he didn't quite get home, so I'm not sure three miles is what he wants. He will get it but we're back to two and a half, which should be ideal.

Jane Williams, trainer of Galahad Quest
I think he's worth a go in a smaller field carrying a lighter weight. Slightly quicker ground should suit him and I think he'll run a nice race. I'm 100 per cent happy with his wellbeing – I'm not sure where the irregular heartbeat report came from at Cheltenham, he didn't have it and I never got to the bottom of it.
Reporting by Maddy Playle

Read more of Saturday's previews:

12.40 Sandown: 'We've had this race in mind all season' - Love Envoi primed for Listed success

1.15 Sandown: Gemirande out to sparkle for in-form Williams and Deutsch combination

1.50 Sandown: Corrigeen Rock bids to boost Lucinda Russell's Sandown record

2.25 Sandown: 'I couldn't be more pleased with him' - trainers on the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle

3.00 Sandown: Can Evan do it again? Prime Venture bids to repeat £100,000 veterans' final win

3.35 Sandown: 'He's still quite well treated' - who will win this competitive handicap hurdle?

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