Hi all,
It’s a real shame we lost Wolverhampton’s Friday Night Live card. Especially frustrating after spending several hours taking a deep dive into the races.
Warwick failed its morning inspection as did Fairyhouse, but Kempton can race.
Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the best of the Kempton action.
Kempton
I’ve left out the juvenile hurdle (1:30) to focus on the other three ITV races on Lanzarote Hurdle Day.
2:05 – Coral “New” Horse Racing Bet Builder Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m
The Doyen Chief finished a good second on his seasonal return at Bangor-on-Dee, then pulled up early in the Coral Gold Cup. He bounced back with a respectable fifth to Blaze The Way at Cheltenham. He jumped well that day and only faded after the last. The drop back to 3m could be the way to go for the 9yo who is 1 from 1 over C&D.
2:40 – Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade 2) – 2m4½f
Kalif Du Berlais disappointed as favourite when well beaten in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. He’s fine on good ground and looks worth another try at this trip over fences. A Grade 1-winning novice last season. He needs to bounce back but would be the most likely winner if doing so, for a yard that’s won three of the last five running’s.
Master Chewy failed to stay three miles and was outclassed in the King George VI Chase here on Boxing Day. The drop back in trip is a plus and he can’t be ruled out back in more suitable company. I prefer him to the veteran Edwardstone.
3:17 – Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m5f
I covered the race in Thursday’s column but here’s an update.
Lanesborough should be suited by this trip after scoring at Doncaster at Doncaster (2m½f) on his seasonal return last month. A 14lb rise demands more, but he’s clearly going the right way and remains open to improvement.
A Pai De Nom made it three wins from four over hurdles when landing a Leicester novice (1m7½f) last month. Before that, he won a Cheltenham handicap over this trip. The return to 2m5f is a plus and the six-year-old remains progressive. Notably, the yard has won the last two running’s of the race.
Beat The Bat didn’t seem take to fences when third of four at Exeter last month. He’s only one from eight over hurdles but shaped well in valuable handicaps last season. A repeat of his Coral Cup fourth at the Cheltenham Festival would see him involved.
Came From Nowhere broke his maiden tag at the fifth attempt when winning a Hereford handicap last time. He’s lightly raced for a seven-year-old and could improve again. Unproven on good ground, but if handling it, he’s a player despite a 7lb rise.
Finally, Just Ennemi is worth a mention. Useful over hurdles in France, he cost £320,000 last autumn. He disappointed on chasing debut at Haydock but may have needed the run. He’s surely better than his stable debut effort and on to keep an eye on back over hurdles.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John