Chase at Warwick have strategically prepared for this event throughout the season. The race, spanning 3 miles and 5 furlongs, serves as the centrepiece of Warwick's Premier race day, featuring a competitive field of 14 participants. For some, this race has been a focal point of their racing season, while others view it as a stepping stone toward the prominent spring festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree.
As part of our Stable Tour series conducted early in the campaign, several connections indicated their intent to target this specific race. Presented below are profiles of three Warwick runners meticulously primed for this occasion:
Guetapan Collonges record
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon
SP forecast: 13-2
Guetapan Collonges, owned by JP McManus, has exhibited remarkable form since his return to competition under the tutelage of trainer Charlie Longsdon this season. Notably, he achieved two joint career-best Racing Post Ratings, the most recent being a commendable third-place finish in a 3-mile and 3½-furlong handicap chase at Cheltenham in November, where he faced the talented Malina Girl.
In October, Guetapan Collonges secured his fifth victory in 11 starts over fences, triumphing at Carlisle. This triumph prompted Longsdon, based in Oxfordshire, to target the forthcoming Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick, recognizing the horse's potential for success.
Guetapan Collonges enters the race as one of the favourites and boasts a solid track record at Warwick, including a victory in November 2022 and a fourth-place finish in the same contest a year ago.
Charlie Longsdon's Perspective
Commenting on Guetapan Collonges in the Stable Tour segment, Longsdon expressed, "He's a great horse and will be aimed at some of these big chases now. He ran a cracking race the other day at Cheltenham, and races like the Classic Chase at Warwick and the Midlands National again would be perfect for him, albeit not on horrible ground. There's a big handicap performance in him."
Guetapan Collonges has demonstrated proficiency on soft to heavy ground, with all three of his chase victories occurring over distances of up to 3 miles and 2 furlongs. While his previous performances in the Classic Chase and Midlands National displayed a slight dip in form, there is little doubt about his stamina, evident in his strong finish for third place over an extended 3 miles and 3 furlongs at Cheltenham in his most recent outing. Although he must make improvements, he stands as a solid contender for an each-way wager.