Gemirande out to sparkle for in-form Williams and Deutsch combination

Read Nicky Henderson's Unibet Blog Handicap Chase | 2m4f | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

Since this 0-130 was introduced in 2015, all but one of the winners has returned a Racing Post Rating between 137 and 150. Considering RPRs and the BHA work to a similar scale, those high figures suggest this is a classy race for the grade and that punters should look for horses set for bigger things.

It is understandable that the market has come down on Gemirande. He was a comfortable winner at the end of November, from a horse who has won since, and he represents last year's winning trainer in Venetia Williams. While both are minor points, it would be worth noting that most of his form is away from the deepest ground and that a good handful of horses who won impressively for Williams at around the same time have plateaued since.

If ground is particularly high on your priorities list for finding winners, or you just fear the wet forecast, you may see the merit in Peejaybee or High Up In The Air, as their best form has come both on soft ground and at this track. Scipion also has form in deep ground and makes particular appeal to me.

Trainer Tom Lacey continues to be underrated, particularly in handicaps, and the way he has campaigned Scipion suggests that he is held in high regard.

Around this time last year, on his second start over hurdles, Scipion was third in the Grade 2 Leamington Novices' Hurdle at Warwick. He has not yet built on that but the evidence of his chasing debut third behind rapid improver Kinondo Kwetu, in what is normally a strong novice handicap at Uttoxeter, suggested it is only a matter of time.

That was 12 weeks ago, but if he is fit enough for this second chasing start he may well be able to show himself a cut above 0-130s, which is the bar that usually needs to be cleared in this race.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Peejaybee bids to bounce back

Richard Spencer seeks his first winner of the jumps season with Peejaybee, who fell at the seventh fence on his most recent start at Haydock last week.

Spencer has sent out eight runners over jumps this season without success, with Peejaybee the Newmarket trainer's most recent winner over obstacles. That win came last February when Peejaybee was sent off 2-13 for a Sedgefield novice hurdle, and Spencer hopes that Peejaybee can navigate a safe passage to land a much greater prize on Saturday.

Peejaybee: hurdle winner fell over fences at Haydock last weekCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He said: "Peejaybee won for us over hurdles and ran fifth on his first start over fences at Carlisle, which was encouraging. He then went to Haydock eight days ago when he was sent off favourite but fell at the seventh, although only by jumping into the back of a horse in front of him.

"That brought him down which was very unfortunate but he seems to have come out of that in great form. He was a winner at Sandown last season and should enjoy the ground so there is plenty to like. Hopefully he can put the Haydock episode behind him and run a nice race."

What they say

Henry Daly, trainer of Precious Eleanor
She's in great heart and the drop in trip will suit her but she won't run if the ground goes heavy.

Tom Lacey, trainer of Scipion
Things didn't go right on his first run over fences at Uttoxeter when he had to make his own running which wasn't ideal. He won't want the ground to turn heavy but if it's reasonable he'll run a very big race.

Lydia Richards, trainer of Certainly Red
We took him out at Newbury last weekend when the ground was too soft so hopefully they don't get further rain. On the plus side, he's in great heart and we're keen to run.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Gemirande
He won well at Southwell and the second has been a good winner since that race. I hope he’ll go well in a race like this, albeit he wouldn’t want too much rain.

Gary Moore, trainer of Sopran Thor and High Up In The Air
Sopran Thor is having his first run of the season and normally improves from it. High Up In The Air has a bit to prove but is starting to come forward having had a year off before his last run.
Reporting by David Milnes

Read more of Saturday's previews:

12.40 Sandown: 'We've had this race in mind all season' - Love Envoi primed for Listed success

1.30 Wincanton: 'He seems in great form' - Messire Des Obeaux returns after latest setback

1.50 Sandown: Corrigeen Rock bids to boost Lucinda Russell's Sandown record

2.25 Sandown: 'I couldn't be more pleased with him' - trainers on the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle

3.00 Sandown: Can Evan do it again? Prime Venture bids to repeat £100,000 veterans' final win

3.35 Sandown: 'He's still quite well treated' - who will win this competitive handicap hurdle?

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