Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m recapping the best of Saturday’s action at Kempton.
It was an interesting day at Kempton on Saturday. I don’t think we saw a Cheltenham Festival winner in the Grade 2 races. That said, two horses stood out as potential future stars in the jumping game.
Pendil Chase: Rubaud Digs Deep
Rubaud had to be brave to win the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase. Off the bridle a long way from home, he kept finding under pressure. His stamina was proven beyond doubt. His jumping was hit and miss, but class saw him through. Slick jumping is an asset, but ability can override it, as we saw here. The well-backed Imperial Saint disappointed, fading three out.
Adonis Hurdle: Mambonumberfive Steps Up, Mondo Man Learns the Hard Way
Mondo Man had finished second to Lulamba on his hurdle debut last month. He was sent off favourite but raced too keenly. That took its toll at the finish. He has a big engine but won’t fulfil his talent until he learns to settle.
Mambonumberfive, a pricey French import, settled much better than on his Cheltenham stable debut. He powered clear for an impressive success. This wasn’t the strongest Adonis, but he’s a big horse and a nice prospect for the future. This was the first leg of a hat-trick for the in-form Ben Pauling/Ben Jones combination.
Dovecote Hurdle: Tripoli Flyer Soars Again
Tripoli Flyer followed up victories at Market Rasen and Musselburgh to land the hat-trick in style. He showed a sharp turn of foot, just as he had at Musselburgh, brushing aside favourite Miami Magic.
Tripoli Flyer maintained the strong record of second favourites in this race. His 7½-length winning margin was eye-catching. Miami Magic came into the race with solid Grade 1 form and was getting 3lb. The winner needs to sharpen up his jumping, but he’s close to Grade 1 level if he does. Connections will likely aim for the Supreme after this. I can’t see him beating the best of the Irish, like Kopek Des Bordes, but he’s entitled to have a go.
Ladbrokes Trophy: Katate Dori Blitzes Rivals
This was meant to be a competitive handicap, but Katate Dori turned it into a procession. The bottom weight got a superb ride from Charlie Deutsch. Let down by his jumping last time, he had no such issues here. He ran his rivals ragged to give Sam Thomas a second win in the race.
Hyland, who wanted better ground, never got into a rhythm but stayed on for second. Our Power, who won this in 2023, plugged on for third, giving the trainer a 1-3 in the race. The overnight rain didn’t help the likes of Beachcomber or Charlie Uberalles. Lowry’s Bar drifted in the betting and was pulled up (later found to have bled).
In Saturday’s column, I had noted the horseracebase trends that pointed to the winner.
I decided to go against the trends by siding with Our Power. So far in 2025, I had been sticking with the trends. However, I couldn’t let Our Power go unbacked. Even not seeing him on the shortlist didn’t sway me.
Eider Chase: Knockanore Bolts Up
Just like Katate Dori at Kempton, Knockanore turned Newcastle’s Eider Chase into a rout. On decent ground I doubt we’ll see an easier winner of this historic race
I mentioned him in my Victor Value preview but left him out of my final selections—one that got away!
I had speculated that he could be ahead of his mark if his stamina held up. It did. He stayed the trip superbly and had at least 20lb in hand on his rivals.
The well-fancied O’Connell lost nothing in defeat. He came here in flying form. I had thought he was better going right-handed, but that wasn’t the issue. He would have been a good winner but for the well handicapped Knockanore demolition job.
Betting Blues: Rain, Regrets & Lessons Learned
It was a rough Saturday punting-wise albeit I didn’t have a lot of bets. I dismissed race trends I had highlighted earlier in the week. I hadn’t anticipated so much overnight rain and switched off Katate Dori. Yeah, I took a shot at big odds in Saudi Arabia. Byline only finished 5th, but I don’t regret that one. I saw enough to justify the bet, it was the right call, just didn’t quite land!
You can’t get them all right, but it’s still frustrating. Time to dust myself down and move on.
Monday Racing
A rare sight this afternoon—a valuable handicap on a Monday. That’s not something you often see during the jumps season. There’s £60,000 in guaranteed prize money for the BetGoodwin Sussex Stayers Handicap Hurdle (3:15) at Plumpton.
Recent rain has left the ground soft, heavy in places, so even on a sharp track like Plumpton, the 3m 1f trip will be a real test.
3:15 – Sussex Stayers Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 3m 1f
I’m not sure Kamsinas, Hermino AA, or Jilaijone want a proper slog in testing conditions. Good Luck Charm needs to bounce back after a poor run at Haydock. Warranty is a previous course winner but this a tougher race than she normally contests.
Patriotik looked on a winnable mark when finishing a running-on second at Aintree (2m 4f) on Boxing Day. He never got competitive at Ascot last time but should appreciate the step up in trip. He also won on heavy ground 12 months ago.
Gaye Legacy has been slow to come to hand this season. However, she shaped well when fourth at Sandown last time. A strong stayer, this test should suit, and she’s in the mix. It’s hard to see her outside the first three.
Sole Solution had to battle hard to win a heavy-ground handicap at Sandown (2m 4f) 23 days ago. Up 5lb, but he’s had just four hurdle starts and remains open to improvement. Looks set to get an uncontested lead which could prove vital. Big chance if he stays the trip.
Verdict: Sole Solution has plenty in his favour. If he stays, he looks capable of landing the hat-trick. Patriotik is on a winnable mark and looks the main danger. Gaye Legacy can hit the frame.
Good luck with your Monday bets!
John