Charlie Longsdon will be hoping Guetapan Collonges can improve upon his fourth-place finish in last year’s renewal of the Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick on Saturday.
Owned by JP McManus, the eight-year-old has won twice since competing in the race twelve months ago, including a valuable Uttoxeter handicap in February. He made a successful return when taking a Carlisle event in October before finishing third behind the re-opposing Malina Girl at Cheltenham during the November meeting.
"This race has been the plan for Guetapan Collonges for some time. We thought about going for a race at Cheltenham during the Christmas Meeting but then we thought we would wait for this.
"He is a lot more experienced compared to this time 12 months ago when I thought we were right in the deep end.
"Although he had won at Warwick the time before he had only had a handful of races over fences against small fields and he was very much a second-season chaser that was still very inexperienced.
"Since last year's race he has run in the Midlands National and a big handicap chase around Cheltenham. He is a lot more experienced now and a lot more streetwise.
"When he won at Carlisle a lot of mine weren't right. Against lesser fields like the one he faced at Carlisle he finds it easier to dictate races," he added.
"We could have gone and found another 0-140 handicap for him, but he should be winning a race like this at some stage in his career.
"From going well and jumping great he then just got outpaced coming around the home bend at Cheltenham, but he was then flying again after the last.
"The winner won well, but with another few strides we would have finished second ahead of Cloudy Glen.
"Going back up in trip will help him while he will also be better off at the weights with the re-opposing Malina Girl.
"He must have a chance with all the form he has now and having finished fourth in the race last season."
Gavin Cromwell will be hoping Malina Girl can bounce back after her fall at Cheltenham in December, although the mare could face an uphill task with top weight of twelve stone.
"Top-weight is not ideal, and she is quite a small mare so Conor Stone-Walsh is going to claim 5lb and give her every chance," said Cromwell.
"She seemed to be going well last time, but it was too early to say (if she would have won).
"The trip won't be a problem and she stays well. She seems in good order so hopefully gives a good account of herself."
The pair head the market for the Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase with Malina Girl favoured at a general 5/1 whilst Guetapan Collonges is available at 7/1.
