JP McManus-owned improver well backed for Classic Chase at Warwick

Guetapan Collonges is the one attracting all the interest on Saturday morning in the Classic Chase betting, with the Charlie Longsdon-trained runner slashed to 4-1 (from 11-2) for the day's big handicap chase at Warwick.

JP McManus's seven-year-old was a winner at this track in November and also boasts form on heavy ground, which could be a huge advantage given the conditions on Saturday.

He has yet to run over this distance and also faces a 6lb rise for that last-time-out victory. Yet the Longsdon yard also are in excellent form, with the trainer's two runners at Huntingdon on Friday finishing first and second.

His stablemate Glimpse Of Gala is another notable mover on the card, being shortened to 2-1 (from 11-4). The seven-year-old mare has been in fine form this season, finishing second in two starts before going one better at Kempton over Christmas.

Lord Du Mesnil is another of interest at the head of the Classic Chase betting, being shortened to 11-2 (from 13-2). He was last seen finishing second at Bangor in November, and the form has been boosted with the winner Le Milos following up in the Coral Gold Cup.

Meanwhile, Mr Incredible has been quite weak in the market, drifting to as big as 7-1 (from 11-2).

Scarface is another attracting significant interest in Kempton's 20-runner Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle. He has been slashed to 9-1 from 14-1 with most firms on his first test outside of novice company.

Mullins raids Warwick

Remember the endless summer? Those yawning, sweltering days where the ground was rock solid and if anything, it was a bit *too* hot.

Well, it is a distant memory. It's January 2023 and the going is tough. It's time to roll our sleeves up and get stuck in.

The post-Christmas hangover has been shaken off and the jumps season is laid out in front of us.

There may be bigger prizes waiting down the line but today there's a feast of hardy action over obstacles to enjoy in Britain and Ireland.

At Kempton there's a fascinating Grade 2 Silviniaco Chase (2.05) to look forward to – can Pic D'Orhy keep the Paul Nicholls machine running smoothly or will Angels Breath dust off the cobwebs to win on his first appearance since 2019?

Next on the card comes the Lanzarote Hurdle (2.40), with Charles Byrnes' raider Green Glory the favourite to land the spoils.

Over at Warwick another Irish raider could be firmly in the mix in the Classic Chase (3.00) – can Mr Incredible live up to his name for Willie Mullins?

Meanwhile in Ireland the spotlight will be on Davy Russell – again – as he makes his retirement comeback with two rides at Fairyhouse, where the highlight is the Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase (2.12).

It's going to be wet, it's going to be muddy, it's going to be wild – and it's going to be a lot of fun. Come on!

Market movers

Warwick
12.40: Waterloo Quay 8-1 (from 12-1)
3.00: Guetapan Collonges 4-1 (from 11-2)
3.35: Glimpse Of Gala 2-1 (from 11-4)

Kempton
1.30: Tile Tapper 2-1 (from 5-2)
2.05: Angels Breath 13-2 (from 8-1)
2.40: Scarface 9-1 (from 14-1)

Fairyhouse
1.02: Whatcouldhavebeen 3-1 (from 11-2)

Updated at 10.30am

Going update

The going is now heavy all over at Warwick for Classic Chase day following 12mm of rain overnight.

It has been a wet week in Warwickshire in the build-up to Saturday's big handicap and conditions were changed from heavy, soft in places. It is, however, forecast to remain dry during racing.

Clerk of the course Tom Ryall said: "The rain has stopped now but we might catch another shower this morning. It should be dry and quite breezy for racing but we're heavy all over.

"We've had just under two inches of rain since last Saturday. 11mm came over last weekend, we had a wet Tuesday [12mm] and then another 14mm from Wednesday into Thursday before last night's rain.

"Everything is all okay at the moment, we've got plenty of fresh ground which we saved for this meeting. It's taken the rain as best as it could."

At Kempton there was 10mm of rain overnight but the ground is officially described as soft.

Barney Clifford, clerk of the course and Kempton, said: "It's proper soft ground, we had 10mm last night. It's still raining now but it's supposed to clear by midday. It always walks better but it'll ride soft."

The ground at Fairyhouse is soft to heavy following 4.5mm of rain overnight.

Updated at 10.30am

Non-runners

Warwick
12.40: Gwennie May Boy
3.00: Fortescue
3.35: Sire Du Berlais, The Bomber Liston
4.10: Rascal

Fairyhouse
1.02: Penny's Song
2.12: Silver Klass

Updated at 10.30am

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

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

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

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