The Warwick Classic Chase will be firmly on Olly Murphy’s radar this weekend, with the local trainer expected to decide shortly whether Resplendent Grey will take his chance in Saturday’s valuable staying handicap.
Based just ten miles from the course at Wilmcote, Murphy will view the Warwick Classic Chase as a race of particular significance and has already acknowledged that adding it to his record would be deeply satisfying. The eight-year-old Resplendent Grey will remain under close consideration as final decisions are shaped by weather forecasts and underfoot conditions.
Resplendent Grey will head into the race on the back of a strong profile. He will have signed off last season with a determined victory in the Bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Sandown Park, a performance that will have underlined both his stamina and resilience. He will then have returned this term with an equally authoritative display when winning the Listed Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle in November, confirming his continued progress over fences.
His most recent appearance will not have gone to plan. At Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup, he will have found himself immediately on the back foot after missing the start, a setback from which he will not have been able to recover, eventually finishing well down the field. Murphy will be expected to overlook that run, viewing the early mishap as decisive.
The Warwick Classic Chase, run over an extended three miles and five furlongs, will be seen as an ideal opportunity for the gelding to reassert himself. Murphy will report that Resplendent Grey has come out of Newbury in good order and will express confidence that the demanding distance will suit him well.
Warwick Classic Chase Plans Will Remain Weather-Dependent
Murphy will continue to adopt a cautious approach, with several factors still to be assessed before committing to Saturday’s feature. Ground conditions and the final composition of the field will be central to the decision, particularly with higher-rated rivals potentially influencing the weights.
“He will have missed the break at Newbury and that will have ended his chance straight away,” Murphy will say. “He will have come out of it well, and he will stay the trip without any concern. If everything lines up, Warwick will look a very suitable target.”
The trainer will also have Gold Clermont entered, although her participation will appear less likely at this stage. She will have finished fourth in the Scottish Borders National at Kelso last time and will continue to show consistency, but Murphy will suggest that circumstances would need to change significantly for her to take her place in the field.
Elsewhere on the card, Murphy may also be represented by Wade Out, who will be under consideration for multiple engagements across the weekend. The staying novice will have impressed with his Listed success at Cheltenham last time and will be expected to gain further experience ahead of the spring festivals.
Murphy will remain mindful of managing Wade Out carefully, with the gelding’s current rating placing him towards the upper end of the weights in future assignments. Even so, the trainer will be pleased with his condition and encouraged by his stamina and attitude.
Beyond individual races, Murphy will continue to enjoy another productive season, with his yard set to remain prominently placed among the leading trainers. While acknowledging the strength of competition from established names, he will take pride in the steady evolution of his operation.
“To be competing at this level consistently will mean a great deal,” Murphy will say. “We will be placing our horses carefully and building year on year. That will always be the most important thing.”
Whether or not Resplendent Grey will line up on Saturday, the Warwick Classic Chase will remain a key target for Murphy, offering both sporting significance and the chance to shine on home territory.
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