Warwick Classic Chase Betting Tips

The action comes thick and fast from Warwick on Saturday, where the Classic Chase over 3m5f is the feature race.

This card hosts graded novice chase action and loads of good-quality handicaps, further boosted by the Veterans' Final which has been salvaged from Sandown's lost card last weekend.

Here are tips for all eight races on Warwick's biggest raceday of the year.

12.05pm – Unibet Edward Courage Cup Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (2m)

This race is newly restricted to novices and the immediate result is a disappointing turnout of just two. Both runners are fairly promising, though, with ETALON especially so following a win at Newbury just before Christmas.

That was his first run of the season and his chasing debut, so he can be expected to improve for the outing. On top of that, he is bred to make a good, speedy chaser as he is related to the useful two-miler Prince Escalus. Sole rival Salamanca Bay showed tons of zest on his stable debut last time but needs to be more controlled this time.

Selection: Etalon @ SP

12.40pm – Michael Costello Memorial Handicap Hurdle (2m)

There is good reason to bear in mind the money that came for KLITSCHKO when he made his seasonal reappearance at Lingfield in November. That was his handicap debut, following a promising season in novices, and he was sent off 2/1 only to get tired in the deep ground.

His mark has eased somewhat as a result and he should have leading claims on ground which, while still testing, promises not to be so sloppy as what he encountered at Lingfield.

Selection: Klitschko @ SP

1.15pm – Wigley Support Fund 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle (2m3f)

Warwick's chase track is known to be one for specialists but the hurdles track rewards a bit of local knowledge, too. That being the case, it is a positive that DIAMOND RI won his bumper here. He did it in emphatic style, too, and his hurdling debut in November contained a fair amount of promise for all he was beaten at even-money. Back at Warwick, he can belatedly reward the faith shown in him last time.

Selection: Diamond Ri @ SP

1.49pm – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3m1f)

Not the most competitive Pertemps Qualifier. Many of the eight will have eyes on finishing in the first four to qualify for the Final at the Cheltenham Festival. However, this meeting has been the main aim for GENTLEMAN AT ARMS in the last two seasons and it may well prove to be the same again.

He returned to form when winning at Aintree in November and his run at Newbury a few weeks later were most likely just to keep him ticking over for his big target here. He was a close fourth over course and distance off this mark in April and has plenty of room to build on that following his Aintree win.

Selection: Gentleman At Arms @ 12/1

2.24pm – Trustatrader Hampton Novices' Chase (Grade 2 - 3m)

Warwick provides a serious test for chasers, with five rapid-fire fences down the back straight. For novices, this emphasis on professional jumping is all the greater and therefore BROADWAY BOY is the one to be with here. He has loads of experience over Cheltenham's demanding fences, including when winning a Premier handicap there at the December meeting. While Grey Dawning has lots to address following his own error-strewn round at Cheltenham around then, Broadway Boy has no such concerns.

Selection: Broadway Boy @ 2/1

3.00pm – Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase (3m5f)

The difference between Cheltenham and Warwick also crops up here. CITY CHIEF has been at his best on flat, left-handed tracks like Ayr and Wetherby in the past and Cheltenham has seemed to find him out a little this season. Warwick is much flatter, more like Ayr and Wetherby, and granted this sort of track and a thorough test of stamina he should be bang there in a competitive running of the Classic Chase.

Selection: City Chief @ 10/1

3.35pm – Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase (3m)

There is a qualifier for this final held at Warwick, and with the final now re-routed to here that race may take on extra significance. It was won by Thomas Darby, but MILL GREEN in second shaped just as well and now gets a pull in the weights for a narrow defeat. He is as unexposed as you are likely to get for an 11-year-old and can make the most of that against much more established rivals.

Selection: Mill Green @ 9/1

4.05pm – Wigley Community Fund Open National Hunt Flat Race (2m)

Wide-margin point winner RICKETY BRIDGE has shown among the best form in this field and has managed to get here without a penalty. That is because he has been second at Worcester on his debut and finished fourth in a Listed race at Cheltenham's November meeting. That latter race was a very strong bumper and entitles him to serious respect down slightly in grade.

Selection: Rickety Bridge @ SP