Plate winner Shakem Up'Arry attempts return to winning ways in competitive veterans' chase

The Warwick fences are not the stiffest around but getting into a rhythm is a key factor to success on the chase track with five fences coming thick and fast in the back straight where races are often won and lost.

It is generally considered a speed track with its tight turns and there is no doubt it will suit some more than others. Only Smarty Wild has experienced the chase course at Warwick previously.

The 11-year-old, alongside Le Milos, may find things happening too quickly given that their best form in recent seasons has come over further. It is easy to see why Fugitif heads the early market but he is an unlikely runner with the Denman Chase at Newbury down as first preference.

An uncharacteristic error from Shakem Up'Arry saw him come down early at Cheltenham on his return but he is generally reliable in the jumping department, as seen when landing last season's Plate at the Cheltenham Festival. If he gets into the same sort of rhythm here, he will be a big player with the talented Callum Pritchard taking 5lb off.

Quel Destin is a potential pace angle but he has not shown enough in the last 12 months to suggest a return to the winner's enclosure is around the corner.

Whistleinthedark has not shown enough this season either and he would probably prefer quicker ground.

That leaves Grandads Cottage, who has been an in-and-out performer over the last two seasons. He ran no sort of race at Market Rasen last time but he bolted up on his seasonal reappearance and first-time cheekpieces could spark him back to life.
Analysis by Phill Anderson

What they say 

Ben Pauling, trainer of Shakem Up'Arry
He was properly sore after his fall at Cheltenham and we've given him at least a month off because he has quite a bit of soft tissue damage. He seems great in his demeanour at home and he schooled well at home on Thursday, so we've decided to run him. He could strip fitter for the run but he seems to have his normal attitude back and his positivity towards his work. We're looking forward to getting him back on track to see how the rest of his season pans out.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Le Milos
He's not getting any younger which is why he's in a veterans' race. He’s been well handicapped for a while but he's just not showing that form from a couple of years ago.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Grandads Cottage
He posted an unusually bad run at Market Rasen last time, which is why we've gone for the cheekpieces. If he gets into a rhythm with his jumping he would have an each-way chance.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Quel Destin
He knocked himself the last day which is why he pulled up, but he's 100 per cent fine. He's got a bit to do, probably. If it was heavy ground I'd really fancy him.
Reporting by David Milnes 

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