3.40 Wincanton: the one race you can't afford to miss on Thursday

3.40 Wincanton
Healthy Pets National Handicap Chase | 3m2½f | 5yo+ | RTV

Trainers often moan at handicappers for putting up their horses after a defeat, but here we will see whether the assessor was right not to budge Moving In Style after two second places before the turn of the year.

Robert Walford's nine-year-old remained on a mark of 118 following a seven-length second to Perfect Candidate at Haydock in November, but the fact his rating remaining static after a three-and-a-quarter-length second to Copperhead at Newbury last month may have raised a few eyebrows.

The winner had looked a horse with huge potential when winning the time before at Wincanton – the runner-up won by ten lengths on Saturday – and has been given an 11lb hike for Newbury.

Moving In Style chases home Copperhead at NewburyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Moving In Style remains on the same mark, despite finishing 18 lengths clear of the third. He was not quite favourite when the first shows arrived, which is a little surprising even though Colin Tizzard's Sussex National winner Christmas In April is in the field chasing a hat-trick.

He's actually 1lb badly in under a 7lb penalty, but there is probably more improvement to come and, having made the running from before halfway at Plumpton, the early lead could be his if he wants it.

He has won only going left-handed over obstacles, but this season's improvement has come with the step up in trip on soft ground, so that may not matter.

Tom Lacey won the big staying handicap at Warwick on Saturday with Kimberlite Candy, and is represented by topweight Coningsby, who unseated at the first on his return at Ascot, but then shaped well for a long way in the voided London National at Sandown next time.

The likes of Pobbles Pay, Morney Wing, Rathlin Rose and Dawson City have all seen better days, but between 2014 and 2017 the winning ages were 10, 12, 11 and 12.

Paul Kealy

What the stats say?

The favourite Christmas In April is two from two since being fitted with cheekpieces, and Harry Cobden has a 50 per cent strike-rate when riding the eight-year-old.

Tom Lacey is enjoying an impressive strike-rate with his runners in 2020 and he looks to continue his fine run with Coningsby.

Morney Wing: represents trainer Charlie MannCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Charlie Mann excels in staying handicap chases, with a 21 per cent strike-rate in the past five seasons and an impressive level-stakes profit of £56.60. He is represented by outsider Morney Wing.

What do the trainers say?

Evan Williams, trainer of Pobbles Bay
He's seem to have come out of the Welsh National pretty well so we thought we'd run him relatively quickly and have another go. I thought he ran a good race at Chepstow but they were just a little too good for him. He's in great shape.

Pobbles Bay: was last seen running in the Welsh Grand NationalCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Tim Vaughan, trainer of Theligny
Alan [Johns, jockey] thinks he'll definitely get the trip, and he's ridden him most of the times he's run. He should be absolutely fine on this ground. He started the season with a lovely run up at Market Rasen but he disappointed the last day. I hope stepping up in trip can squeeze some more improvement out of him. Things just haven't quite clicked since he was flying over hurdles but I hope he can recapture that form throughout the season. He seems well at home and we're hoping for a nice run.

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Christmas In April
I thought he won nicely at Plumpton last time and he's come out of that race really well. He's gone up 6lb but has only got a 7lb penalty so there's not much in that. These sort of races seem to suit him and the softer ground should be right for him. It's good to have him in one of these local nationals.

Robert Walford, trainer of Moving In Style
He's in good shape and his form stacks up quite well. It looks quite a hot race but he ran well in good races at Haydock and Newbury and he ought to run a nice race again.
James Stevens

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