Classy Clemencia one to watch off a handy mark and dropping down in trip

Tuesday: 4.45 Uttoxeter
IAE Wish Richard Harper A Happy Retirement Handicap Chase | 3m | 5yo+ | Sky

Clemencia, perhaps the most intriguing runner in this wide-open handicap chase, was fourth in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown two seasons ago and it is surprising he has yet to score for Tim Vaughan.

Fifth in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival behind Aramax on his stable debut, Clemencia has tumbled down the ratings since.

A first attempt at 3m1f in soft ground at Haydock did not work out last time, but the going is much quicker at Uttoxeter and he could go well running over a furlong shorter off a career-low mark.

Olly Murphy's 21 per cent strike-rate with horses running after wind operations makes the expensive to follow Captain Biggles interesting off a three-month break.

He is clearly talented, having finished second to Third Time Lucki in a novice hurdle on his jumping debut in 2020. If his breathing had been causing issues, recent short-priced reverses at odds of 6-4 and 6-5 are forgivable.

Stuart Edmunds is operating at a 38 per cent strike-rate over the past fortnight and there are reasons to fancy a big run from Young Offender. The seven-year-old has been tried in various forms of headgear lately and Edmunds reapplies the cheekpieces he wore to victory at Chepstow in October.

A good-ground horse, Young Offender has not had conditions to suit in recent starts and runs off only 1lb higher than his last winning mark.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of Kilbrook
He's down in class, which should help, and he won't mind the ground so has a sporting each-way chance.

Kim Bailey, trainer of Rocky’s Treasure
He's slipped down the handicap a bit and if he's in the mood for it he should go well. He was due to run a few weeks ago but he bruised a foot, but he seems in good shape now.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Captain Biggles
He's had a wind op since his latest run over hurdles when it had become a bit frustrating we couldn't win with him. Hopefully going over a fence for the first time will improve him.

Henry Oliver, trainer of Hard To Forget
He's a course-and-distance winner who will like the ground, it just depends whether there are a couple better handicapped.

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of Young Offender
He's been beaten a long way of late but we're hoping the better ground will bring about some improvement and if it does, he would have an each-way chance.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Frau Georgia
She doesn't like soft ground so we gave her a break over winter and she's now ready to start off again on ground she'll enjoy. She schooled well yesterday.

James Evans, trainer of Lord Getaway
He's had a break as he doesn't like soft ground and hopefully this can be the start of a productive spring and summer campaign. The trip may be on the sharp side for him but he goes well fresh so we’re hopeful.
Reporting by David Milnes

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets