Nono Le Sage takes a huge drop in class in the opener at Warwick (2.00) and could be worth chancing on his handicap debut.
The six-year-old joined David Pipe for 55,000 guineas after being succesful in a bumper for Henry Daly, and although beaten out of sight on all his starts since there are reasons to believe that he is more than capable of winning this off a mark of just 75.
His bumper win came on good ground, and the drying conditions at the Midlands track should be far more up his street than the soft going he has encountered on his last two starts over the obstacles.
He has not been seen since competing in a hot novice event at Newbury back in December, and presumably connections have been waiting for better ground for his handicap bow.
The Newbury race was won by Nicky Henderson's Supreme Novice hope Oscar Whisky, and although Nono Le Sage was beaten 107 lengths in the end he only weakened badly three from home after being held up at the rear and making some headway without threatening the leaders.
He gets in to today's race with an absolute featherweight, and with his useful rider taking off 3lb he could prove to be very well handicapped indeed.
It's also significant that he has attracted good early support this morning, and the Pipe team very rarely leave the money behind wehn the cash is down.
He is still available at 6-1 with bet365 and Victor Chandler but that will surely not last long and should be snapped up.
Recommended bet: 4pts win Nono Le Sage (6-1 bet365, Victor Chandler)
