Classic Day in store as Warwick looks set to beat the rain

After a bumper turnout at their New Years Eve meeting, Warwick Racecourse officials are anxiously keeping an eye on the weather ahead of their Betfred Classic Chase Day. Picture: Jass Lall

Officials have been anxiously watching the weather, with clerk of the course Sulekha Varma optimistic earlier today, saying on Twitter: “Now Heavy after 11.2mm rain overnight. Has taken rain well tho so no problems anticipated moving forward.”

Weather permitting, Channel 4 will be covering four races live and will also broadcast The Morning Line from the course at 8am.

The action gets under way at 12.10pm with the Levy Board Warwick Mares’ Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Listed) over two miles.

The fourth is a handicap chase, run for the Edward Courage Cup, which commemorates one of the most successful owner/breeders of the last century, who was based at Edgcote near Banbury.

As well as the big race, there will be a lot of interest in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Leamington Novices’ Hurdle), a Grade 2 event over two miles and five furlongs.

Last year, the race was won in style by The New One en route to winning at the Cheltenham Festival and he is now one of the favourites to take the Champion Hurdle in March.

There are 17 entries in this year’s contest including Killala Quay, who won a similar event at Sandown Park last time out, Rathvi nden from the powerful Irish stable of Willie Mullins and the exciting Red Sherlock, who is unbeaten in four races.

Old favourite Carruthers, winner of the 2011 Hennessy Gold Cup, is among 23 possibles for the Classic Chase, but it is the Lincolnshire National winner Merlin’s Wish who was installed as the 7-1 favourite by the sponsors when the entries came out on Monday.

But, despite looking to have a great chance off bottom weight, trainer Martin Keighley opted to run Merlin’s Wish in today’s North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick, leaving the way open for another young, progressive horse in Shotgun Paddy to come out on top.

Also among the entries is the 2012 winner Hey Big Spender, whose trainer Colin Tizzard has a winning record of 5-13 in handicap chases at the course in the last five years and On His Own, owned by Andrea and Graham Wylie, who was a 25th-fence faller in last season’s Grand National.

The course is offering a ‘Super Saturday’ deal for £30 covering the Classic Chase and the Kingmaker/Racing Post Arkle Trials Day on February 8.

Advance bookings can be made at www.warwickracecourse.co.uk or on 0844 5793013.