The Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase is one of the most prestigious races staged at Warwick Racecourse, and the front two from this year’s contest have both shown they are Grand National contenders.
My Silver Lining is a brilliant winner of the £100,000 Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase for @ELavelleracing & @jamesbe19813630 pic.twitter.com/RUnhPBxxm3
— Warwick Racecourse (@WarwickRaces) January 13, 2024
My Silver Lining came out on top for trainer Emma Lavelle after outbattling Galia Des Liteaux, who had to settle for second place, just less than a length behind the winner. The pair are now in the frame for some of the leading staying handicaps in the final couple of months of the campaign.
Aintree Distance Should Favour Warwick Pair
The Grand National at Aintree is the longest race on the National Hunt calendar in the UK and a step up to 4m2½f is unlikely to be a problem for My Silver Lining and Galia Des Liteaux. Both horses could take on last year’s winner Corach Rambler, who is the 14/1 favourite in the Paddy Power racing market for the marathon contest. Corach Rambler is likely to be one of the leading racing predictions for this year’s renewal of the world’s most famous steeplechase, however, he is set to have much more weight on his back than he did in 2023.
My Silver Lining brought up her fourth success over fences when scoring at Warwick. It was the first time she had raced over the distance of 3m5f in his career. She is a chaser who is very versatile, as she has won on both ‘Good’ and ‘Heavy’ ground. Should she make it into the Grand National field, she would most likely have one of the lowest weight allocations in the field due to her official rating.
Galia Des Liteaux is looked after by local trainer Dan Skelton. Although his mare could only finish second, it was an excellent afternoon for the Lodge Hill man, as he had six winners across the Saturday cards, with more details in the BBC report.
Skelton’s mare improved for wearing first-time cheekpieces, and the headgear is now likely to remain on the horse should she take her chance in the Grand National.
Midlands Grand National Also an Option
The Lavelle camp pointed to the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter as My Silver Lining’s next assignment. That race, run over a distance of 4m2f, is worth £150,000. Uttoxeter Racecourse is very similar to Warwick in that the fences are stiff, and stamina is tested.
Lavelle is likely to give her a mare an entry for the Uttoxeter race and then wait to see what the conditions end up. She will be hoping for lots of rain for her staying chaser, as unlike some of her rivals in the division, she relishes the slower ground.
Such a game performance from Potters Corner who lands the @MarstonsBrewery 61 Deep Midlands Grand National at @UttoxeterRaces: pic.twitter.com/JwXQ49vN7R
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 16, 2019
Skelton, who is flying higher in the Trainers’ Championship this season. is another trainer who often has several runners in the Midlands Grand National. Despite his excellent record at Uttoxeter, he has yet to win the race. The best he has done so far is finish third, which he achieved in 2019 with Get On The Yager.
The 2024 Grand National is set to take place on the 13th of April, while the Midland’s Grand National is scheduled for the 16th of March, the Saturday after the Cheltenham Festival
