2.00pm Warwick Tips & Betting Preview 26/01/2017

A small field of five runners contest this long distance handicap chase at Warwick, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: 14 year old Incentivise is likely to put up another good display for Kerry Lee but ready preference is for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ YANMERE. Although a shade disappointing on his latest start at Newbury, he had rattled off a three timer before that and that last run certainly looked to be just an anomaly. He drops back in class which is a help and can easily confirm running with Financial Climate who has been very disappointing for a while now.

1 INCENTIVISE – Mainly consistent and likeable fourteen year old who has ran very well the last twice, winning at Warwick on his latest start (3m 5f, Soft) and has been raised 4lb as a consequence. Dropping back in trip shouldn’t be a problem as he’s versatile in terms of trip and ground but would prefer if this turned into a stamina test. Seems the likeliest candidate to follow the selection home but is clearly vulnerable at this stage of his career.

2 PLAY THE ACE – Winning pointer who has run exclusively over fences after one bumper run, with a record of 2-10 thus far. Last win came at Stratford in August (2m 3f, Good) and he’s still 5lb above that mark, despite turning in three poor performances from his last four runs. He has an excuse on his latest run with a breathing issue reported but does have something to prove now on his first run at Warwick. Quite possible the handicapper has his measure and despite having conditions to suit, he’s likely to be fighting for second place only.

3 PECKHAMECHO – Lightly raced over fences for a eleven year old and his only win in this discipline came on chasing debut back in September 2012 at Stratford (2m, Good to Soft). Last victory overall came over timber over two years ago and both his runs this season have been very poor, tailed of at odds of 80/1 on his last run at Wincanton (2m 3f, Good). Plenty to prove and looks to be one to avoid today.

4 FINANCIAL CLIMATE – Last win came in March 2015 and he’s been largely disappointing since, with three poor runs so far this season. He’s now 11lb below his last winning mark but despite Yanmere running flat on his latest run, he was still 9 lengths behind and looks very unlikely to bridge that gap today with similar conditions. If back to near his best off this mark he’d be dangerous and could serve it up to the selection but that has been the case for a while and he’s dismissed today.

5 YANMERE – Rattled off a three timer since returning this season and has gone up 30lb in the weights as a consequence of those three easy victories. His winning run to came to a halt on his latest start at Newbury when upped in class but he never looked himself that day and in all likelihood that run was an anomaly. Gavin Sheehan had the ride that day and Jamie Bargary takes it back today, with all three of this seven year old’s victories coming with him on board. Likely to be tough to beat again and can make it 4-5 this season, continuing this brilliant season for Nigel Twiston-Davies.