Warwick
3.00pm
Late Romantic
I was due to ride him at Sandown recently but he was re-directed to the Ayr meeting that got abandoned and he only comes here after Catterick was called off on Thursday morning. But he is certainly not here to just make up the numbers. I know the horse well, having won on him at Wetherby last season, and he comes here in good form after winning at Haydock last time. He is 5lb higher and on a career-high mark, but he will love the ground and certainly has his chance.
3.35pm
Imperial Alcazar
We were going to go chasing with him at Uttoxeter last month, but he missed that engagement, so we are sticking with the hurdles route for now. He is a horse I have always had plenty of time for, and his narrow second to Protektorat at Cheltenham last season showed you what a talent he is, and I was happy enough with his comeback effort at Haydock. I thought he ran a lot better than his beaten distance would suggest. He has been dropped 1lb for it and will handle the testing conditions here, so hopefully he can make his presence felt in what is obviously a very competitive qualifier.