'He's working nicely and well capable' - analysis and quotes for tricky handicap

Saturday: 3.15 Warwick
Virgin Bet Warwick Castle Handicap Chase | 2m4f | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

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All of a sudden, it has become important to know how stiff a test of stamina Warwick tends to provide. This race's distance of 2m4f is often referred to as an intermediate trip and that is certainly true going by the make-up of this field. Amoola Gold and Cheddleton run almost exclusively around 2m and The King Of May has only recently stepped up, while Lieutenant Rocco and Wishing And Hoping are essentially stayers.

A look at previous winners gives hope for the three-milers. Last year's winner Two For Gold stays that far, as does 2020 winner Clondaw Castle. It is better, though, to look at the nature of the track.

Think Warwick, think loads of fences. The course penalises horses who need to make up ground on the run of five that culminates in three out. After that, there is a flat half-mile run with a sweeping bend, then two fences in the last two furlongs.

In short, if you cannot lay up you will do well to catch up. Running style can be more important than anything else at Warwick and that should suit Cheddleton at the speedier end but also Wishing And Hoping and Lieutenant Rocco.

In terms of jumping, Our Power, Jacamar and Falco Blitz have the potential to be self-destructive. Riders Onthe Storm was similar in his pomp, but he has a more pressing question to answer in terms of how much ability he retains.

By a process of elimination, it may appear the way is clear for hat-trick-seeker Celebre D'Allen. But this test is new to him, too. His two hurdles wins at Haydock, particularly the latter, were marked by his ability to breeze through the midwinter slop. He has chase form in France, but the fences there are of a markedly different nature to Warwick's rat-a-tat-tat run down the back straight.

Stiff or sharp can be down to a matter of tactics at Warwick. What the track can surely be said to offer is a pretty unique test, and few of these runners are demonstrably prepared for it.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

'He's been crying out for this step up in trip'

Adjusting focus to quality over quantity is working wonders for the Jennie Candlish team, with this campaign already poised to be the best yet, and stable flagbearer Cheddleton bids to give them the biggest winner of the lot.

Candlish is just one success shy of levelling a career-best tally of 24 winners, and this seven-year-old could be the one to make it happen stepping up in distance.

"We're delighted with the season so far," said Candlish's assistant Alan O'Keeffe. "We've got a nice team, we're down on numbers but we've got a bit more quality and it's working in our favour. These are the types of meetings we want to be at.

"He's run very well in defeat this season and he looks like he's been crying out for this step up in trip so we hope that'll bring out improvement. He should give a good account of himself."

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Amoola Gold
He's been begging for a step up in trip. He's significantly better at Ascot than anywhere else but he ran well at Warwick last year behind the Grand Annual winner [Sky Pirate]. It'll be hard off top weight but he's a classy horse and I can't see why he won't be very competitive.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Falco Blitz
He was good last time. I'd have said he was better going left-handed but that victory came right-handed at Kempton. Two and a half miles at Warwick is perfect, while the ground should be fine as long as it's not too tacky.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Celebre D'Allen
He's won his two hurdle races well and his schooling over fences has been good. He should cope with better ground.

Brian Ellison, trainer of The King Of May
He won well last time and he's working nicely. It's a hot race but I think he's well capable of holding his own.
Reporting by James Stevens

Saturday previews:

1.15 Newbury: will weight concession prove too much for leading festival fancy Bravemansgame?

2.05 Warwick: trainer views and insight for Kingmaker clash between Edwardstone and Third Time Lucki

2.25 Newbury: can Clan Des Obeaux shrug off the doubts with Denman Chase victory?

3.00 Newbury: 'Still improving' Hitman bids to get Paul Nicholls back on track in Game Spirit

3.35 Newbury: key trainer quotes and analysis for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury