Hi all,
Another quiet start to the week but that tends to be the case during the winter months. Occasionally a day tempts me in and that’s the case on Wednesday.
The headline race is a Class 3 novice chase at Warwick (2:45). It’s a potential cracker too with Grade 1 Hurdle winners Jonbon and Monmiral both making their debuts over fences. Smart handicap hurdler West Cork who was runner-up on his chase debut at the track completes a three runner field.
The heavy rain has arrived in time with Warwick reporting the track as good to soft, soft in places on Tuesday evening.
Also on the Warwick card is leg 10 of the Veterans’ Chase Series (3:15). The race has attracted a decent line-up too.
Inside today’s main piece I have previewed the veterans’ chase and I also have a few fancies on the Kempton and Southwell cards.
Warwick
3:15 – Racing TV Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 10 Of The Veterans’ Chase Series) – 3m
Former Grade 1 winning chaser Lostintranslation is due to carry top-weight of 12-00 on his seasonal reappearance. A winner of the Grade 2 Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase on his seasonal return. He’s got a touch of class and provided the ground doesn’t get too soft is the one to beat on his first foray into veterans’ company.
Also in the line-up is smart handicap chaser Snow Leopardess who was pulled up in the Grand National and makes her debut in veterans’ company. She’s been aimed at the Becher Chase, a race she won last year and although she may be better for the run, she did win first time up last season.
De Rasher Counter who won the 2019 Ladbroke Trophy is also among twelve declarations. He’s making his debut in veterans’ company and there was a bit of encouragement to be taken from his Kelso return.
Venetia Williams has yet to have a winner this autumn. However, I wouldn’t be quick to rule out her runner Cepage. He’s been lightly raced since winning at Chepstow in January 2021, from 4lb higher. It’s hard to know what ability he retains but he’s gone well off a lay off in the past.
The rain has arrived in time for Ramses De Teillee. He’s not the most consistent of horses. However, he’s dropped down a handy mark and the David Pipe yard is among the winners.
Celebre D’Allen won his first two starts over hurdles after joining Philip Hobbs last season. He then followed up over fences here (2m 4f) in January, from 5lb lower. He stayed 2m 6f when trained in France. If his stamina for 3m holds he’s a big player.
Kempton
7:30 – Bandinelli, trained by Charlie Appleby is going to be popular he’s 2-2 over C&D, and was a good 6th of 20 in the Northumberland Plate when last seen in action. He returns from a 144-day lay off but has gone well fresh in the past. He’s got strong claims but at the prices a chance is taken with another course & distance specialist in Imperium. The 6-year-old is a five time winner here and although he was only a 3 length 5th of 9 to Bandinelli here in March he does get a 3lb pull in the weights and is entitled to get closer. First run since a disappointing effort on the flat in April but he’s gone well of lay off in the past, is 3-3 in November & December and returns from wind surgery,
Southwell
1:35 – Bedford Flyer, a useful 5f handicap sprinter in 2021, is two from four on the all-weather and is 1-1 on the tapeta. The 4-year-old had looked set for a good season when finishing a ¾ length 2nd of 7 at Lingfield in April. He didn’t build on that promise on three subsequent starts, but the handicapper has dropped him 6lb since April.
2:38 – Alligator Alley is a useful handicap sprinter when he gets to chase a strong gallop as he showed when coming from off the pace to win at Thirsk in August. That was his first success since joining David O’Meara and ended a losing run for the 5-year-old. Yet to win on three starts on the all-weather but has shaped like he can be effective on the surface. He’s 7lb higher than for his last success but can win again when getting a race run to suit.
Betting Advice:
3:15 – Cepage – 1pt win – 10/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
Kempton
7:30 – Imperium – 11/2 @ Bet365 & Coral
Southwell
1:35 – Bedford Flyer – 4/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
2:38 – Alligator Alley – 4/1 @ Coral
Cheers
John