Hi all,
Kempton Hosts a good all-weather card this evening with the Listed Hyde Stakes and the Unibet London Stayers Series (Final) Handicap being the highlights.
Haydock saves its best until last. The Veterans Series Handicap Chase may have only attracted six runners, but they’re all old favourites.
For a Wednesday the action is decent, and I will start with the Veterans Handicap Chase.
Haydock
3:30 – trustatrader.com Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 11 Of The Veterans’ Chase Series) (Class 2) – 3m ½ f
Good Boy Bobby is seeking the hat trick after win in Veterans chases at Chepstow & Sandown. He’s 4lb higher here but remains on a competitive mark and should go close.
Sam Brown ran poorly on his seasonal return at Wincanton, but the blinkers are back on and he’s the class horse of the race if bouncing back to his best.
Nestor Park can usually be relied upon to run his race but he’s 1 from 16 over fences which is off-putting.
Galloping Bear has a much better strike rate 3 from 7 over fences which would have been four, but he was disqualified after winning the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase here in February 2022. Best run last season came when a 2 ½ length 2nd of 13 to Kitty’s Light in the Eider Chase at Newcastle. The 10-year-old stays much further than 3m 1 ½ f but the ground is heavy so it could turn into a real stamina test. I’m hoping this race isn’t a prep for something else I think he’s got a good chance.
Kempton
7:30 – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Hyde Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) – 1m
I’m going to give one more chance to Al Mubhir here. The 5-year-old is making his all-weather debut, but his dam did win on the polytrack so there’s a good chance that he’ll take to the surface. The first time cheekpieces go on and I think he’s got solid claims.
8:00 – Unibet London Stayers’ Series (Final) (Class 2) – 2m
Duty Of Care won a handicap over C&D in March and ran just as well on RPR’s when a 1 ¾ length 2nd of 6 to Bandinelli here in the Queen’s Prize Handicap over C&D. Well beaten on turf when last seen in action in May but he’s had wind surgery since and has gone well fresh in the past. When last seen over C&D he looked a progressive stayer and looks set for a big run.
Melakaz took his record to 5 from 6 on the polytrack when winning over C&D when winning over C&D in July. Back from a 147 day lay off but has won off an even longer absence in the past so he will be fit enough. A 5lb rise makes life difficult but he’s got to be high on the shortlist.
Evaluation, a five time winner ran with plenty of encouragement on his first start for 12 month/stable debut for Charlie Johnston when a 1 ¼ length 4th of 8 to Sir Chauvelin over C&D last month. If building on his last performance he’s a big player for a yard that won last year’s race.
Given there are just 14 runners I can’t justify three selections in the race so I have settled on two.
Betting Advice:
The bookies have now got rid of BOG on the day before racing and is now only available on the morning of the day of racing.
I’ve found that if you fancy one the night before with Coral & Ladbrokes the price is usually still available in the morning, but you must be ready to place your bets at 8am.
I will continue to put up my selections with prices, but I will let you decide if you want to go in early or wait for BOG.
Haydock
Galloping Bear – 1pt win – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Kempton
7:30 – Al Mubhir – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
8:00 – Duty Of Care – 1pt win – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Evaluation – 1pt win – 10/1 @ Bet365 (price worth taking now).
Cheers
John