33/1 Champ Kiely catches the eye for Kempton

Hi all,

The winter jumps campaign just needs the rain to arrive to really take off. Plenty is forecast for this week and hopefully, it will arrive for Cheltenham’s November meeting which gets underway on Friday.

Inside today's main piece you'll find my idea of lively long shot for the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Exeter Reflections: Thistle Ask Strikes Gold

The big-race action began last Friday at Exeter with Haldon Gold Cup Day. Thistle Ask has improved tremendously since joining Dan Skelton and made it three from three for his new yard with a good win in the valuable Haldon Gold Cup Handicap. Letting the eight-year-old bowl along from the front proved the right call — he used his race fitness well. I think a sound surface suits him best, but it will be interesting to see how he handles genuine winter ground. There might be more to come.

Last year’s winner JPR One looked fit enough on his return but couldn’t go with the all-the-way winner. This was likely his early-season target, so life gets tougher now.

Race favourite Kalif Du Berlais was as disappointing as JPR One. So impressive when winning a Grade 1 novice chase at Aintree in April, he never looked comfortable here and was beaten four out. Perhaps he needed the run – next time will tell us more.

Earlier on the card, Doyen Quest put his experience to good use to win the ‘Future Stars’ Silver Bowl Novices' Chase. On good ground he needs respecting going forward. Connections intimated that they may go for Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup.

Odds-on favourite Quebecois made a respectable chase debut in second but never looked like catching the all-the-way winner. It must go down as a disappointment, but he remains capable of better over fences.

Aintree Notebook

For this week’s future winner’s segment, I’ve focused on Saturday’s Aintree action.

Only Way Is Up looked a useful novice when making a winning hurdle debut in the opening novices’ event. He should stay beyond 2m4f and can win more races. In the same race, Pertemps is worth noting despite finishing last of the six runners. On hurdle debut, he jumped as well as any in the rear and was still in touch two out. He’s a work in progress, bred for 2m6f+, and should find his level later in the season.

Impose Toi proved far too classy under top weight in the Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier. Now five from twelve over hurdles, this was his first try beyond 2m5f and he stayed three miles well. Nicky Henderson doesn’t see him as a Graded performer, but he’s got a change of gear, is unexposed at the trip, and deserves a go in one. With Albert Bartlett winner Jasmin De Vaux out for the season the staying hurdle division looks as open as ever.

Mambonumberfive took advantage of his 4yo allowance to make a winning chase/seasonal debut in the 2m handicap chase. He jumped neatly for an inexperienced novice taking on experienced rivals. A Grade 2-winning hurdler, he already looks likely to prove better over fences. Highlands Legacy was a good second to Mambonumberfive. A winner on his return at Worcester, he remains on a fair mark and can improve again when stepped back up in trip.

Grand Sefton Pointers

I think the form of the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase, won by Colonel Harry, will prove strong, and there should be future winners from the race. Gaboriot, runner-up this time after finishing third last year, deserves credit. He looks like he needs further than 2m5f, and the Becher Chase next month could suit perfectly. That race could also appeal to King Turgeon. Last year’s Grand Sefton winner ran well for a long way again, jumping the National fences with the same fluency. He stays 3m2f, and the Becher Chase could also prove ideal for him now.

Naas Notebook: Champ Kiely catches the eye despite defeat at Naas

Finally, a few thoughts on a good Naas card on Sunday.

Smart chaser Spillane's Tower returned in a handicap hurdle but was turned over at 6/5. I was happy to lay him at short odds, but I didn’t expect him to run as poorly as he did. Granted, he’ll have needed the run, but it was a lifeless performance. It’s too early to write him off, though he now has serious questions to answer.

Arkle runner-up Only By Night got the better of Champ Kiely in a thrilling finish to the Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase (2m). It was a gutsy effort by a tough mare.

Given Champ Kiely had won the Grade 1 novice chase over 3m1f at the Punchestown Festival, this was a cracking effort over a distance short of his best.

I’ve no idea if Willie Mullins will bring Champ Kiely over for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. After all, he already has the front two in the ante-post betting in Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File. Still, I couldn’t resist the 33/1 available with Bet365 for the race. It could be an ideal race for the 9yo, and Mullins did win it in 2021 with Tornado Flyer a stable second string.

Finally, there was a cracking beginners' chase (2m) on the Naas card. Irish Panther put in an assured round of jumping to run out a comfortable winner. He looks useful, and there will be plenty of winners to come out of that race in the coming weeks.

Tuesday Preview

Steel Ally made no mistake when winning on chase debut at Carlisle. Getting a handy weight allowance, he justified favouritism comfortably. At 8/11 Monday’s free tip wasn’t one to get the betting juices flowing, but a winner’s a winner and you could argue 8/11 was value.

As for today, it didn’t take me long to realise there’s little of interest on what is a poor day’s racing.

Tomorrow, I’ll turn my attention to Cheltenham’s three-day November Meeting, which kicks off on Friday.

Good luck with your Tuesday bets.

John