The Charlie Wilson Memorial Chase

Charlie Wilson who died on 31st August 2022 aged 87 was a passionate horseman, an Owner, Breeder and a member of The Jockey Club.

The Race we are sponsoring in his honour at Warwick today reflects his love of staying chasers and of supporting the Mares that are the backbone of National Hunt breeding.

Charlie was a newspaper Editor, and has been described as Racing’s best friend in the newspaper industry. He championed the coverage of racing in the Times and many other papers. He served as a member of the Jockey Club Licensing and disciplinary committees.

He bred many horses from the Delgany Stud, all of whom carry the Delgany prefix. His best love was for gutsy horses that could stay long trips - we hope to see one or two here today.

FOURTH RACE 3.35

THE CHARLIE WILSON MEMORIAL MARES’ HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) (Challenger Mares’ Chase Series Qualifier) for five yrs old and upwards mares x Total prize fund £17500 Owners Prize Money. 1st £7068, 2nd £3533, 3rd £1768, 4th £884, 5th £441. (Penalty Value £9241.75)

Leading course trainer (17-22): L Wadham (11 wins from 62 runners, 18%) runs MIDNIGHT MARY Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): E Lavelle (5 wins from 18 runners, 28%) runs WOULDUBEWELL

Longest Traveller: PANIC ATTACK trained by D Pipe, Wellington, 140 miles.

1 PANIC ATTACK (IRE) (27)

B m Canford Cliffs (IRE) - Toto Corde Meo (IRE)

7 12-0

J Harry Cobden E Blinkers, Tongue Strap

T David Pipe, Wellington

O Bryan Drew

B Mr T. J. Adams

S W & S Recycling

2 WOULDUBEWELL (IRE) (41)

B m Gold Well - Howrwedoin (IRE)

J Tom Bellamy

T Emma Lavelle, Marlborough

O Owners Group 063

B Timothy Townend

S Owners Group

3 CREDO (IRE) (21)

B m Fame And Glory - Tasmani (FR)

J Rex Dingle

T Anthony Honeyball, Beaminster

O Potwell Racing Syndicate II

B John Fallon

S Geegeez.co.uk

4 MIDNIGHT MARY (GB) (29)

B m Midnight Legend - Epee Celeste (FR)

9 11-12

TFRHHHHI BHA129

FORM 1-20134

TIMEFORM VIEW Three-time hurdles winner and made all in 3-runner novice chase at Huntingdon (2 1/2m) on debut over fences. At least respectable efforts since, shaping well at Cheltenham last time, and she makes plenty of appeal.

28Jan

TFRHHIII BHA127

FORM 321-66P D

TIMEFORM VIEW Fairly useful hurdler who exceeded that form when scoring twice around 3m over fences last term. Disappinting this time around, though.

14Jan War 29f HcpC heavy P/13 IwilldoitDec22 Chp 30f HcpC soft 6/17

TFRHHHHI BHA120

FORM 54-2122 D BF

8 11-5

TIMEFORM VIEW Point winner who reached a fair level over hurdles but is already a vastly better chaser, scoring at Chepstow in November. Good efforts since and solid claims once more.

3Feb Cat 25f HcpC good 2/4 Betty Baloo 13/4l

Dec22 Her 25f HcpC soft 2/8 Flowing Cadenza 81/2l

Nov22 Chp 23f HcpC gd-sf 1/8 Flowing Cadenza 19l

TFRHHHHH BHA112

FORM 4113-21 D

7 10-11

J Bryony Frost E Cheek Pieces

T Lucy Wadham, Newmarket

O Mr S A Richards and Louise Kemble

B Mr S. A. Richards & Mrs L. Kemble

S Weatherbys Hamilton LLP

5 MOON EAGLE (IRE) (27)

B m Free Eagle (IRE) - Behrama (IRE) 6 10-4

J Robert Dunne E Tongue Strap, Cheek Pieces

T Tom Gretton, Inkberrow

O G1 Racing Club Ltd

B Brendan Keogh

S Jmc Surfacing Contractors, Treehouse Sporting Colours

TIMEFORM VIEW Three-time winner at around 3m over hurdles last season for Stuart Edmunds and has started positively over fences, off the mark in this sphere at Wetherby last time. Should go well again.

26Jan Wet 19f HcpC soft 1/6

TFRHHIII BHA105

FORM 05-0504

TIMEFORM VIEW Patchy form for Gavin Cromwell in Ireland and yet to convince as a chaser, only fourth of 6 in a handicap at Uttoxeter on debut for this yard.

DECLARED RUNNERS 5 2022: GLORIOUS LADY (IRE) 8 9 11 Tabitha Worsley 22-1 (Cynthia Woods) 5 ran Running for the first time since Wind Surgery No. 5.

Probable S.P’s: 2-1 Credo (IRE), Midnight Mary (GB), 7-2 Panic Attack (IRE), 10-1 Wouldubewell (IRE), 20-1 Moon Eagle (IRE)

PLAY SMARTER

MIDNIGHT MARY opened her account over fences at Wetherby last time and is taken to follow up despite the presence of the in-form Credo. Panic Attack was better than the result at Cheltenham last time, so she’s another one to consider.

TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.MIDNIGHT MARY 2.CREDO (IRE) 3.PANIC ATTACK (IRE)