Warwick preview: Crickel Wood can collect for in-form Longsdon

David Metcalf | November 4, 2015

Trainer Charlie Longsdon has his team in terrific shape, and Crickel Wood can take advantage of what looks a lenient opening mark to provide him with another winner in the 2m handicap hurdle that opens proceedings on today’s card at Warwick (13.00).

The gelding had some useful flat form to his name in France, and shaped really well on his second start over hurdles for Longsdon when a 4 1/2 length third of nine to Regulation over course and distance.

Crickel Wood was far from fluent at several obstacles, but held every chance until being headed at the last and unable to find any extra on the run-in.

The winner is a useful sort who has won since and is now rated 134, and the runner-up has also gone on to taste success and is rated 124.

That looks strong form in the context of this contest and suggests that Crickel Wood may well have got in lightly on his handicap debut off an opening mark of just 113.

The five-year-old also ran well last time out when fourth at Stratford, racing far too keenly in the early stages and weakening after leading at the last to be beaten just over six lengths.

Another plus is that Crickel Wood remains unexposed and open to stacks more improvement after just three starts over the obstacles, and if settling better the son of Muhtathir looks weighted to take all the beating.

Dan to deliver for punters

In the 3m 2f novices hurdle (15.10), Dan Emmett looks decent value to open his account over the obstacles.