Nigel’s Cogry is the real Mccoy

COGRY can go one better than last year and land the Mccoy Contractors Civil Engineering Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick this afternoon.

Nigel Twiston-davies’ 10-year-old was second to MILANSBAR in this contest 12 months ago, but they are closer in the weights this time and Cogry arrives here after a win at Cheltenham last time out.

The trainer’s son Sam Twistondavies takes the ride having ridden him to that Prestbury Park success and he is backable at an each-way price in a wide open contest.

Bryony Frost rode Milansbar to victory here last year, but she is not on board today as she heads to Kempton to continue her relationship with BLACK CORTON in the 32Red Casino Chase.

And I think this lad could run a big race for Paul Nicholls going back down in distance.

He has made jumping mistakes in his two runs to date this term but, if he can eradicate them, he could go very close to taking this.

KLOUD GATE has scored with ease in two handicap hurdles for the Moore team this season after a couple of runs on the flat in the summer and he could take all the beating in the Lanzarote Hurdle.

Gary Moore has won this contest on three occasions, with his most recent success coming in 2007. His horses have been running well lately and his son Jamie can ride Kloud Gate to another success here.

Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson have also tasted Lanzarote succcess three times each and both saddle just one runner today. DARLING MALTAIX runs for Nicholls, while DOUX PRETENDER takes his chance for the Lambourn handler. Both are of obvious interest.

BALLYKAN is going through a spell of finishing second having been runner-up in all of his last three starts, but the Unibet Handicap Chase looks a winnable contest for him and he should go close again. CHAPARRAL PRINCE was just beaten at Kempton over Christmas and he can go one place better earlier on the same card for Nico de Boinville. Meanwhile in Ireland, DUCA DE THAIX can land the Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse today under Davy Russell.

He has been ultra consistent this season and can add to his course and distance win last time out.

Tomorrow, I fancy HARRIE to land the Moscow Flyer Hurdle at Punchestown for Willie Mullins, who has won five of the last six runnings of the race.