3m5f Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
This could be a race dominated by mares with favourite Malina Girl putting in a couple of very promising performances for Gavin Cromwell this season. Should could well be trying her hand in some of the very top handicaps in spring but a 12 stone top-weight for such a light-framed mare might just catch her out here.
GALIA DES LITEAUX may not have quite hit the same level of performance as she did last season in her two starts to date. The second season novice has her first try in handicap company on a track where she produced her most promising display last season on heavy ground in a three mile novice chase. Her jumping should mean that she gets a nice pitch into the race and she looks well worth stepping up in trip having not gone beyond three miles to date. The addition of blinkers is also a plus and she is 4lbs lower than her career high mark of 146 to 142.
The other mare I like in this is FONTAINE COLLANGES for Venetia Williams who put in the kind of performance last time out at Wetherby that she has threatened to do for some time. That was her first full wrong post a wind operation and it may have done the job quite well. Granted that was a weaker contest in the Rowland Meyrick and she will need to step up again vs better opposition off a 7lbs higher mark. But the promise of that performance gives plenty encouragement she can finally tackle this trip and she may be running in to top form now.
1pt win Galia Des Liteaux 13/2, 15:00 Warwick, Saturday
Fontaine Collanges 9/1, 15:00 Warwick, Saturday