Warwick - Sat 9 May 2026
Stratford runner-up Carpe Diem looks likely to finish thereabouts once again. He's taken to confirm superiority with Chief Black Robe (third), but REDBRIDGE RAMBLER makes most appeal. Martin Keighley's charge should be fresher than the aforementioned pair given he was having his first start since December when fifth at Wincanton last month. The eight-year-old will appreciate this return to a longer trip and is taken to make the most of a favourable mark.
Dan Skelton has trained two of the last four winners of this contest and KAP DE CERISY is an interesting recruit. The half-sister to five winners won an Irish point-to-point last year and it would be no surprise if she proves good enough on debut under rules. Dunstall Star won a bumper at Exeter last month. He could have a future over hurdles, while Taranis Dubh and So Proud are others worth a second look.
BLUE IN THE WEST arrives in fine fettle having won at Exeter before going close again at the same venue. Ben Lund's charge returns to this lower grade with solid claims off his current mark and is taken to edge out Silver Gale. The latter has improved for going handicapping and finished a respectable second at Fakenham recently, while Kantagua Du Large will appreciate the underfoot conditions and Harry Cobden's presence takes the eye.
IMPECUNIOUS was a ready winner on his final start for Chris Down and, off just 3lb higher, the consistent seven-year-old looks well placed to continue the good work on his first run for new connections. Fellow last-time winners Kom Tu Voudras, Camarrate and Three Pikes are other strong contenders, with the former feared the most with improvement likely on her handicap debut.
None of these can be dismissed but WALKIN OUT, who is the highest-rated contender, has an obvious chance in getting weight from the rest and could be the answer on these terms. Malinas Glory has been in fine form in point-to-points and is a key player back over regulation fences based on current form. Good Source is preferred over Best Mate Dave as the best of the rest.
LEGEND D'AIRY was second to a promising type on his debut at Hereford and could be hard to beat with a step forward likely. Former pointer Roll A Dollar has shown ability in both previous starts and merits close inspection in the betting now he has experience in this sphere, while Midnight Escape wasn't beaten far at Market Rasen on debut and should have more to offer. Nate Of Spades is an interesting newcomer to consider.
There was only a place between Carpe Diem and CHIEF BLACK ROBE last time and the pair could have a big say here. The former is respected as a consistent bold jumper but minor preference is for the latter who was outstayed over 3 1/4m that day. Given his best previous efforts have come at around 2 1/2m this drop in trip at a sharp track will suit and he has dropped to an attractive mark judged on his old form. The only mare in the race Sweet Nightingale is feared as a winner in spring who was unlucky not to follow up.
A decent maiden could go to DUNSTALL STAR who showed his liking for good ground when a bumper winner last time. That experience should be enough to help him see off a pair of point winners in Taranis Dubh and Kap De Cerisy. The latter's victory in that discipline has been boosted several times under rules so he is feared for a top stable. So Proud was successful in bumpers and shaped well in a strong race on his sole start over hurdles so isn't ruled out either.
SILVER GALE relished the step up to just shy of 3m when runner up last time and with the winner that day following up she looks well treated here off just 1lb higher. On favourable good ground she can defeat Blue In The West who finally got his head in front recently and has held his form since. Arguably the best handicapped in the race is Mexican Stan who shaped with promise in novices but is yet to fire in handicaps. He isn't dismissed at a bigger price with the step up in distance likely to suit.
An open race where most of the field can be given a chance. The verdict goes to THREE PIKES who showed a willing attitude to rally last time when winning over 2 1/4m. He has long shaped like a stayer so this longer trip should suit and a 3lb rise looks extremely lenient. Impecunious proved hugely progressive last summer and was an easy winner when last seen. He looks on a generous mark for his return so could prove the biggest danger if fit. Mammies Boy has dropped below his last winning mark and returned to form over fences last time so isn't dismissed while Kom Tu Voudras should have more to offer her new stable.
Good Source has won his only start under rules and arrives are some fine efforts in points so is hugely respected. However his main market rival failed to complete in his rules win so the form does look weak enough. WALKIN OUT has proven prolific in points and though he hasn't won under rules for a few years he has proven consistent in defeat on a sound surface. He just about sets the standard on form so is chosen ahead of former Irish chase winner Malinas Glory.
A pair stand out here in Midnight Escape and LEGEND D'AIRY. The former wasn't disgraced first time out behind a rival who has boosted the form at Listed level but the latter is marginally preferred having pulled clear of the remainder when runner up on debut. He was only beaten by a previous winner that day and with normal improvement he will be tough to beat here. Roll A Dollar ran well for a long way from the front on his first try under rules but he did show plenty of greenness. He should also be thereabouts with significant improvement likely.
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