Commis D'Office a viable player on second start since wind operation

2.05 Wetherby
Sixt Car Hire Handicap Chase | 1m7f | 5yo+ | RTV

Wind surgery is part of the norm in racing nowadays, so much so that it is rare to glance at a racecard without seeing a 'w1/w2' symbol that signifies a horse making their first or second start following that particular operation.

Three such runners – Hollywoodien, Marracudja and Commis D'Office – fit that brief in this competitive handicap chase. The first two are in action for the first time since surgery, while Commis D'Office has his second start after having the op.

The latter could be set for a career-best performance given his notable improvement after a long layoff when runner-up to the in-form Sao at Newbury in December.

Venetia Williams, who has had a good winter, has given him a couple of months to get over that effort, thus reducing the chances of him 'bouncing', and a mark of 116 looks perfectly workable. Add to that the benefit of a low weight in testing conditions and he looks a viable player.

Ten-year-olds Hollywoodien and Marracudja sit at the top of the handicap and need to improve on recent efforts to figure, but both hail from yards in red-hot form and cannot be firmly ruled out.

Another with a big weight is Umbrigado, who had found winning tough after three consecutive victories to begin his career, but readily bounced back to win a small-field event at Fontwell after a couple of second-place finishes. This trip is a question mark, though.

Outsiders Charmant and The Paddy Pie appear to be running themselves back into form and were dominating a race at this track last January when the latter fell three out.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Tom Symonds, trainer of Hollywoodien
He's in good order and has decent course form, while his run at Sandown seems to working out well. We had to cauterise his palate – it was nothing drastic, but felt it would benefit him. It's competitive and the wetter the better.

Kerry Lee, trainer of Destined To Shine
He's consistent and has finished second the last twice, going up 2lb for last time.

James Ewart, trainer of Charmant
He hasn't run on his favoured heavy ground for a while, but he's in good form and will hopefully run his little socks off.

Samuel Drinkwater, trainer of Swift Crusador
He's in good nick and has been schooling and working well. Things didn't go to plan in the Sefton when he fell at the Chair, but he had a confidence booster at Taunton and seems well in himself. If he could nick a place we'd be delighted.
Reporting by Kitty Trice

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