Warwick 1:55 Result

Small three-runner field, but Kiwi de Cotte stands out. He carries the highest OR (117), fits with a recent win in his form figures (-P1315), and is trained by Dan Skelton with Harry Skelton up - a powerful yard/jockey combo who target this sort of small-field handicap chase confidently. The addition of a pilot/hood-type headgear suggests they are sharpening him up for this. His recent run was just 18 days ago, showing that he's fit and being kept ticking over, whereas In The Trenches was last seen 50 days ago and has a more mixed profile with a pulled-up run in the figures. Passengerontheship has a strong front end to his form (111157) showing plenty of ability and consistency, but his OR is the lowest of the three (108) and he's stepping up in class/weight-for-rating terms relative to the top-rated horse. In a three-horse race, the classiest and best-treated horse combined with a in-form yard should prove hard to beat, and Skelton horses running fresh off a short break often perform well fitness-wise. I expect the Skelton stable to be sending this one out with genuine intent given the booking of the retained stable jockey.