Warwick – Friday 5th November

Looking ahead to the weekend, I can barely contain my excitement for what should be an excellent few days on both sides of the Irish Sea. With the jumps racing looking extremely tricky, I thought best to give yesterday a good swerve and today looks equally testing. However, there is a fine card at Warwick with many decent types running and I’ll be having a few plays on three races. 

Starting off with the 1.25, which is 2m3f novice hurdle and looks a good race on paper with previous winners and decent bumper types running against each other. Complete Unknown is just that at the top of the market, as his bumper victory under rules in Ireland reads like strong form and is sure to be well drilled from the impressive Nicholls’ outfit. Blue Stello is equally interesting for Nicky Henderson, having been bought from the PtP fields in Ireland. However, it’s Foxinthebox – for the inform team of Olly Murphy and Aidan Coleman that makes the greatest appeal at the prices. Having been turned over in his PtP, this horse ran a cracker on rules debut when narrowly denied in a bumper at Aintree in May. He has been given plenty of time since then, and returns with the Murphy team in red hot form. He showed a tendency to hang right-handed in that bumper run, which could be a concern – but otherwise he boasts strong credentials. It is not something I would usually do but I’m going to back him each way at a price of 9/2 with William Hill – and I expect a good run.  

The 2.00 race is the best race on the card quality wise and is a very intriguing five runner novice chase over 2m. Again, the favourite is very interesting but there has to be some reservations about Edwardstone – who did unseat on his only chase start last year and has the tendency to bump into one. Instead, I am much more intrigued by the chasing debut of Do Your Job – who was a very likeable type for connections last year and finished off a good season with a Grade 1 second at Aintree. That may not have been the strongest race on paper, but he previously had come second to My Drogo and had beaten the ill fated Cadzand impressively earlier in the season. That form gives him a top chance in this encounter and although he does have to prove his aptitude for jumping, he is worth a bet. He is a 5/2 shot with Bet365. 

The final selection comes in the final race at Warwick and the 4.05 race. I’ll be hoping that I can get out in this mares bumper – which has plenty of unknowns running in it. However, on this occasion I’ll be siding with experience and some form. I am not convinced we have seen the best of Lutinebella just yet and I’m hoping that the in-form team of Fergal O’Brien can register another bumper winner today. This mare came fourth in a very hot race at Kempton on debut and even though she was beaten in excess of 15 lengths – she shaped with considerable promise. It was then of disappointment to connections that she couldn’t go and win over this course and distance last time out at Warwick. However, she suffered interference at a crucial stage and can be forgiven for not getting her nose in front. With the nous of race experience in her back pocket, she might run a better race than her price suggests. At a best price of 17/2 with William Hill, I have backed her each way.