Thursday tips: Malfoy Manor can show true colours

Chuggy has an extremely strong chasing pedigree and is living up to it. 

Dan Skelton managed to get him rated just 100 after three unplaced runs over hurdles last season and unsurprisingly he took advantage of that leniency when introduced to fences this autumn. 

Chuggy won well enough on his chasing bow at Uttoxeter and showed the benefit of the run when bolting up on his latest start over Thursday’s course and distance. 

He will be racing off a 9lb higher mark here but that probably still vastly underestimates him. 

The long row of fences down the back straight at Warwick take some jumping but Chugg negotiated them superbly last time and with that experience should go even better this time. 

Mel Rowley has had three winners from his past ten runners and the stable is in excellent form, including horses that have been making their seasonal reappearance. 

Kintail lost his form for Nicky Henderson last season and wasn’t jumping well but he has plenty of ability and if the gelding has settled well into the Rowley yard - and his jumping issues have been resolved - he could well prove himself well handicapped. 

He wouldn’t have been beaten far but for falling at the last in a good race here last March and is an interesting recruit for his new yard. 

Dan Skelton has made many changes since this horse made a disappointing debut for him and much better can be expected. 

A wind operation is the first thing that takes the eye and is coupled with the application of a tongue strap for the first time, so clearly a breathing issue was identified last time. 

He is related to top class chaser Sir Rembrandt, who excelled over long distances, so the step up to 3m also looks a plus. Harry Skelton takes over, too. 

Malfoy Manor may finally reward those who have backed him into favourite on his past two starts.