10 January 2023 , 20:00
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A trainer with just eight horses could have a birthday week to savour by running a quarter of his string in the UK's next big race.
Chris Honour has Grumpy Charley and Tile Tapper in contention for the Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick.
The staying contest is worth just shy of £57,000 to the winner, double what the pair have earned cumulatively this season.
Saturday's big prize is tempting to 44-year-old former jockey Honour, who trains his horses in Devon fields rather than on a traditional all-weather gallop.
"It seems madness to run them in the same race but there is some excellent prize money, you can pick up about £20,000 for finishing second," he said.
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"There doesn't look to be a lot in it. We are only a small stable so it's a fortunate situation to be in – and if the Classic Chase looks like it will suit both horses they will run."
Grumpy Charley, 9-1 with William Hill, ran out a gritty winner of Newbury's Mandarin Chase a fortnight ago.
Haydock's Peter Marsh Chase on January 21 is the alternative for the grey, while Tile Tapper, 12-1 for Warwick, is also entered in Saturday's Coral Racing Club Handicap Chase at Kempton.
Tile Tapper, pictured in the racing colours he used to carry, at Cheltenham Racecourse (RACINGFOTOS.COM)
Former jockey Chris Honour rode 75 winners during his career. He retired from competing in 2012 (Getty)Honour celebrated his birthday on Monday, the same date as jockey Bryan Carver, who usually rides both horses.
The trainer will be on board at home before he commits them to the weekend challenge.
"Warwick's race ticks the boxes for Grumpy Charley, the only question mark is it is only 14 days after Newbury," Honour added.
"Tile Tapper is relentless on soft or heavy ground, you could run him over any trip. He's a high class horse."