Warwick’s Classic Handicap Chase (Saturday 12 January) is a Grade 3 handicap chase run over 3 miles 5 furlongs and 54 yards. It was first run in 1974 and is a recognised trial for the Grand National. The 2017 winner One For Arthur went on to win the Grand National in the same season, whilst the 2018 winner Milansbar finished fifth at Aintree.
McCoy Contractors Civil Engineering Classic Handicap Chase 2019 10-Year-Trends
- Winners have been aged between seven and 11
- Winners have been rated between 122 and 156
- Winners have carried between 10-3 and 11-12
- Paul Nicholls and Alan King have both trained two winners
- The last nine favourites have all been beaten
- SP’s of the winners have ranged from 9/2 to 20/1
McCoy Contractors Civil Engineering Classic Handicap Chase 2019 Main Contenders
Calett Mad
Nigel Twiston-Davies trained the 2005 winner Baron Windrush, and Calett Mad has gone close in some big-handicaps already this season. He has an obvious chance of going close again but usually finds at least a couple too good and there’s no obvious reason why running at Warwick for the first time will bring about some improvement.
Ibis Du Rheu
Won a novice chase on his seasonal debut over three-miles but beaten by useful performer last back at that trip. Can’t be sure that this extra five furlongs is what he’s crying out for but trainer Paul Nicholls has won three previous renewals.
Step Back
The form of his win in last season’s Bet365 Gold Cup has been well-advertised since with the next four horses all winnings big-handicaps this season. He won that race by 13-lengths but paid the price with a big hike in the ratings. He also carried just 10-stone there and will carry a much bigger weight here. That seemed to stop him on his seasonal debut, but it’s worth noting all six of his wins have come between February and April.
Milansbar
Last year’s winner will have to win off a few pounds higher mark this time around but he would be interesting if ridden by Bryony Frost, whom he seems to travel and jump nicely for. However, he would prefer much softer ground than he is likely to get this year.
Cogry
Has been in really good form so far this year and, though the handicapper has raised him for those efforts, he could still go one better than last year as good ground should suit him better this time around.
McCoy Contractors Civil Engineering Classic Handicap Chase 2019 Summary
This race is always a complex puzzle to solve, but two horses that should appreciate the conditions are Step Back and Cogry. It’s very tempting to split stakes on the pair but, with Step Back traditionally better later in the season and potentially nicely handicapped for a race like the Grand National, it could be worth giving the vote to Cogry, who is in good form, likes the ground, and has run well in a previous renewal.
McCoy Contractors Civil Engineering Classic Handicap Chase 2019 Tip
Cogry (Each-Way)