By Andrew Atkinson
Trainer Tom Lacey is eyeing the Aintree Grand National in April after tip Kimberlite Candy won the 3m 5f Contractors Civil Engineering Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick on Saturday.
“He’s the finished article now – I think,” said Lacey after Kimberlite Candy’s victory, ahead of Captain Chaos, with Petite Power third, over 22 fences.
Kimberley Candy (9-2) carrying 11st 4lb, ridden by Richie McLernon, bagged the £42,000 first prize and Lacey said: “Richie got him into a lovely rhythm.
“We’ll see about the National. It would have to be soft ground. It’s an option.”
Kimberlite Candy, who finished second in the Becher Chase last time out on December 7, gained a 10 lengths win: “He did it well – but it took him a while to warm up. No one wanted to go on, so I just got a clean passage,” said McLernon.
Captain Chaos trainer Dan Skelton rued: “It was a great run – but he’s been second in four top class staying chases now.”
Joke Dancer (10-30) trained by Sue Smith and ridden by Danny Cook was an 8 lengths winning tip – completing a 23-1 Warwick double.
Mick Channon trained Hold The Note (10-1) selected each-way, finished second under jockey John Burke. Harry Senior (2.25) was withdrawn.
Diamond River (3-1) selected each-way, ran third.
At WETHERBY tips, Coconut Splash (4-6), Annie Mc (5-4), and Hugo Morrison trained Miridadi (5-2) ridden by Jonjo O’Neill jnr, returned a 13-1 treble. Hawk High (15-8) ran second.
Each-way selections Sakhee’s City (12-1) trained by Philip Kirby, ridden by Sean Quinlan, finished second.
At CHELMSFORD’S evening meeting on Saturday tips, Mark Johnson trained Asdaa (6-4) ridden by Joe Fanning and Michael Appleby trained Xian Express (4-11) both obliged.
Itsmabirthday (11-8) ran third. Cat Royale (4-1), selected each-way, ran second. Rotherwick was a non-runner.
