Three of the nine runners declared for the 3m 5f Classic Chase of 2026 at Warwick on Saturday, 10 January have official ratings of above 150. Framing this Premier Handicap with the welter burden of 12 stone is L’Homme Presse for the Venetia Williams stable, still sitting on a lofty mark of 162 at the grand old age of 11.
Far from being a midwinter slog for middling handicappers, this is one of the classiest editions ever staged by the West Midlands track. L’Homme Presse ran fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup of 2024 and enjoyed a peak rating of 170. All of the old ability still looked to be there when stayed on into second around Prestbury Park over the same three-and-a-quarter miles course and distance on reappearance.
The presence of L’Homme Presse not only scares a number of initial entries away, but new BHA rules state horses running from more than a stone out of the handicap cannot take part. As it is, the Classic Chase field of 2026 has four disadvantaged by being between 1lb and 6lb “wrong” at the weights. L’Homme Presse concedes half-a-stone and upwards to his eight rivals.
Sara Bradstock stable star Mr Vango may run here after rerouting from the Welsh Grand National. A potentially sound surface at Warwick throws doubt over his participation here, however, with other options also open to the giant 10-year-old. Softer going that cushions Mr Vango’s landing after jumping his fences is an important element for connections.
If he doesn’t run here, then he could return to Haydock for a defence of the Peter Marsh Chase next Saturday. An alternative target on Merseyside is February’s Grand National Trial, which may suit Mr Vango even better. Bradstock has Aintree ambitions for him, but only in the right conditions.
Myretown, Resplendent Grey Looking to Bounce Back from Coral Gold Cup
Staying steeplechases like the Classic Chase of 2026 always have horses in them with something to prove. Lucinda Russell saddled One For Arthur to victory here nine years ago en route to Grand National glory. The Perthshire yard sends Myretown down from Scotland on the comeback trail. Now a nine-year-old, the Ultima Handicap Chase winner from Cheltenham has as many falls as successes in his last four starts.
Myretown took a tumble at the ninth fence in Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup on reappearance. Given that horse racing bookmakers sent him off 4/1 favourite for that race best known as the Hennessy, it’s no surprise to see him at the head of the market again here. Myretown is a second season chaser with a 3-6 record in this sphere and pretty lightly-raced for his age.
It was far too early to say what would’ve happened at Newbury, but he’s not the only runner in the Classic Chase of 2026 looking to respond to disappointment from that race. Just an 11-mile drive from Warwick Racecourse, you’ll find the Warren Chase Stables where Olly Murphy trains from in Wilmcote. Resplendent Grey landed the bet365 Gold Cup over almost this trip at Sandown in the spring.
While he’s now racing off a 10lb higher mark, the Colin Parker winner on reappearance went off just 9/1 for the Coral Gold Cup. Resplendent Grey never got into any sort of rhythm around Newbury, but this is a home game for him and going back up in trip on an undulating track again could all help. He’s better than he showed last time and also 1lb lower in the handicap now.
Do Out of the Handicap Quartet Have Any Chance in Classic Chase 2026?
Least inconvenienced by L’Homme Presse is Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls runner Destroytheevidence. He has a first-time visor and races from just 1lb out of the weights. A second season chaser like Myretown and Resplendent Grey, his 1-8 record over fences doesn’t tell the whole story. Destroytheevidence has four second place finishes in this sphere including a neck defeat following a sustained duel here last February.
The winner, Deafening Silence, not only represented a local yard, but has since finished third in Welsh Grand National. Running the Classic Chase of 2026 is the first time that Destroytheevidence has raced beyond an extended three miles, so there’s stamina to prove. West Midlands trainers Dan Skelton and Mel Rowley also have horses taking part.
Joyeux Machin represents the former with the problem of being 3lb wrong addressed by booking Harry Atkins, who takes 7lb off with his claim. This is also a step into the unknown stamina wise, however. The Twiston-Davies team offset veteran Torn And Frayed racing from 4lb out of the handicap with Jamie Brace in the saddle removing 5lb.
Rowley’s 2024 Welsh Grand National winner Val Dancer has the worst treatment, meanwhile. He’s 6lb out of the weights, but shaped nicely just behind Mr Vango in the Becher Chase on reappearance. Val Dancer is worse off with that one now, but the increased distance could help. Sounder surfaces raise a different issue for him, however.
Completing the line-up is Val Dancer’s Chepstow predecessor Nassalam, who has completed in just one start since his 2023 Welsh Grand National heroics. He’s a real mudlark for Gary & Josh Moore, so it’s difficult to see how wind surgery alone is going to help him recapture his best form.
Classic Chase 2026 Shortlist & Verdict
Much hinges on the impact of Storm Goretti. If the sleet and snow really come down, then there’s a good chance we lose this race. Should Warwick get their big day on, then conditions may be soft enough for Mr Vango to run. A career high mark doesn’t help his chances, but L’Homme Presse framing the weights is handy. Should Myretown stand up, then he has obvious claims.
Younger than all of these, though, is locally-trained horse RESPLENDENT GREY, who looks worth forgiving his Coral Gold Cup display. From the others, running from out of the handicap is never ideal, but the horses without any claimers to offset the disadvantage may ironically end up doing best. If Destroytheevidence takes to a first-time visor, then he could get in amongst the market principals.
