'We're not sending him over for fresh air' - quotes for the Classic Chase

Saturday: 3.00 Warwick
Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) | 3m5f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Mr Incredible, who will be Willie Mullins' first runner in Britain in 2023, brings a thoroughly unexposed profile into the race and it would be no surprise if he proved a step ahead of the handicapper.

Runner-up to the now 161-rated Ahoy Senor at Newbury in November 2021, when trained by Henry de Bromhead, Mr Incredible gets into his first marathon off 142.

He was well backed to make a winning debut for Mullins in the 3m Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, but only got as far as the fourth fence where he was brought down.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to father Willie, said of Mr Incredible's chance: "He did some work at home during the week and did it well. He's obviously very quirky. He had a couple of issues in his last few runs but he jumped fine in the Paddy Power and got brought down by one of our own horses at the fourth fence.

"Brian Hayes was very happy with him. He's an unexposed seven-year-old and he's got some nice form. The trip is a little bit of an unknown. His two wins are over two and a half miles but there's no reason to think he wouldn't stay 3m5f. He's 2lb higher in England but we're not sending him over for fresh air. We'd be delighted if he could finish in the first three or four and go forward from it."

Red-hot Pauling

Ben Pauling ended 2022 in terrific form with four winners from his last seven runners. He has continued that hot streak into the new year, and many feel he boasts a solid chance of notching this £100,000 feature with Nestor Park.

The ten-year-old has more to offer in marathon chases, and his trainer feels conditions at Warwick will suit.

"He will love the ground and the trip," Pauling said. "I think he is relatively unexposed over these longer distances and am looking forward to seeing how he gets on."

Luca Morgan, regular partner of Nestor Park, is also riding on the crest of a wave at present, having already booted home four winners this year – three for Pauling and one for Michael Scudamore.

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What they say

Charlie Davies, assistant to Paul Nicholls, trainer of Threeunderthrufive
He did nothing wrong last year and it was an unfortunate mishap at the first in the Coral Gold Cup. We didn't want to go to Chepstow as we felt this would be less competitive.

Sandy Thomson, trainer of Dingo Dollar
It's very difficult when he's got such a big weight. The way the weather's gone, we perhaps should have gone for the Veterans' Final last Saturday at Sandown. It would be nice to go back to the Scottish National and get some good ground in April.

Sam Thomas, trainer of Iwilldoit
He missed the Welsh National, but I'm really excited to get him back out in conditions that he loves. I don't see why he couldn't go close, he seems fit and well. He's up to a career-high mark, which is the only worry.

Henry Daly, trainer of Fortescue
The Welsh National was a bit of a disaster. I hope he runs better this time.

Chris Honour, trainer of Grumpy Charley
He's come out of his win in the Mandarin very well. He needs a left-handed track so that limits options with him. I'm trying to qualify him for the Grand National. The Warwick race looks very competitive, but I think he'll stay and he goes there with a good chance. It was either Warwick or Haydock next weekend, and you never know what might happen with the weather.

Alan King, trainer of Notachance
He is out to make a bit of history. He won this race two years ago and would be the first multiple winner if he got his head in front once again. Things haven't gone so well for him since, as he suffered an injury in the Grand National Trial at Haydock next time out and it's taken a long time to get his confidence back. However, his last two runs have been better and he ran well first time out this season at Bangor. He has a good record fresh so we've deliberately kept him back for this ever since. Notachance's work has been grand and I hope that off a mark of just 130 – 9lb lower than when he won the race – he can run really well.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Guetapan Collonges
It's a massive step up in grade, but I've always liked him and he's still at the right end of the handicap. He's only got 10st 3lb to carry, he'll love the testing ground, and will enjoy the longer trip – in fact, the further he goes the better. I was very pleased with his win at Warwick in November. He jumped very well that day.

Sheila Lewis, trainer of Volcano
He loves Warwick – it lights him up. I wouldn't be taking on this class of rival if the ground was good to soft, but it's going to be very testing, which is ideal for him. I think I've got him a bit better this year than he's ever been – he seems in the form of his life. Ludlow wouldn't be his track, but he's run two excellent races there this winter. I'm hoping for a big run off 10st 2lb.

Read Saturday's previews:

2.05 Kempton: 'He's got to be the one to beat - the betting has got it right'

2.12 Fairyhouse: 'I think he has a big chance in a competitive race' - quotes for the Dan Moore

2.25 Warwick: course-and-distance winner Ginny's Destiny looks 'the perfect type'

2.40 Kempton: 'He's been aimed at this race all season' - Lanzarote Hurdle quotes and insight

3.35 Warwick: who brings 'one of the more desirable profiles' to this Pertemps qualifier?

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