Hi all,
The five runner Grade 2 Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase (2:07) and the valuable The Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle, with £100,000 in guaranteed prize money are the highlights of a seven-race card at Kempton.
Warwick hosts its most valuable race of the year, the Wigley Group Classic Chase (3:00), a Premier Handicap run over 3m 5f has 21 entries. Like the Lanzarote it also boasts £100,000 in guaranteed prize money. The Warwick undercard includes the Grade 2 Trustatrader Hampton Court Novices’ Chase (2:05) and the Veterans’ Final Handicap Chase, rescheduled from Sandown’s cancelled fixture last Saturday.
There’s also Grade 2 action at Wetherby where the feature race is the Grade 2 William Hill Towton Novices’ Chase (1:10), now contested over a shorter distance (2m 3 ½ f) compared to its previous three-mile format.
ITV Racing are covering eight races live this afternoon, four from Warwick, three from Kempton and one from Wetherby.
I had a potential ten races to look at for selections today including the Grade 3 Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse. The latter race looks like another good one. However, in the end I didn’t even venture into looking at the race, given there’s plenty to go at this side of the Irish Sea.
Let’s begin today’s preview at Kempton with the first of its ITV races.
Kempton
1:30 – New Bet-In-Race With Coral Handicap Chase – 3m
Flegmatik best RPR came when a neck 2nd of 13 over in a better handicap chase over C&D last February. The drying ground is a positive and given his liking for the track, 2-5, including C&D he’s got to be respected from a handy enough mark with Tristan Durrell taking off a further 5lb.
Chianti Classico won his first three starts over hurdles before being outclassed in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival. He’s won both starts over fences and could be capable of better. Yard going through a lean time though.
Latitude won over C&D in May (good) and was back to form when a ½-length 2nd of 8 at Ludlow 24 days ago. He’s another who will be suited by the drying ground and the yard had two winners at Doncaster on Wednesday. I think there’s a nice pot in the 8-year-old and hopefully its today.
2:07 – Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 4 ½ f
Despite just the five runners it’s a tricky contest to call. Four of the five have won Grade 1 chases, which underlines the quality of the race.
The drying ground has seen support for Banbridge in the ante post betting. The Irish challenger is having his first start since winning a Grade 1 Novice Chase at Aintree in April but did win first time up last season.
Pic D’Orhy won this and went onto win the Grade 1 Marsh Chase at Aintree in April. Made a winning return to action in a Grade 2 at Ascot in November. If he gets into a good rhythm, he can win once again.
Edwardstone, like Pic D’Orhy has to give Banbridge 3lb but he’s the class horse of the race on his day and if the step up to 2m 4f suits could blow his rivals away.
Notlongtillmay is stepping into Graded company but has good form in top handicaps this season. Drying ground is a plus for the 8-year-old. He get’s weight from all his rivals which means he doesn’t have much to find on Official Ratings.
Janidil is the outsider of the five runners but on his day can win this. The addition of the first-time tongue tie is a slight concern but he’s arguably the value bet in the race at double figure odds. One to seriously consider.
2:42 – Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m 5f
A cracking looking line-up with 19 declared, just one below the maximum field size, for this valuable handicap hurdle. It’s a race where you can easily take three against the field and still not find the winner.
Sonigino is 5lb higher than when winning an Aintree handicap hurdle last month but he’s progressive and unexposed over today’s trip.
Impose Toi progressed to win a Cheltenham handicap hurdle in November and improved again when neck 2nd of 9 to stablemate Luccia at Ascot last time. A return to today’s longer trip should suit and he looks a worthy enough favourite. Stablemate King Alexander is another to consider despite looking the stable’s second string on jockey bookings. He won his last three completed starts. Now 10lb higher and in better race but is capable of further improvement.
Nemean Lion won the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on his seasonal return and would have finished closer but for a couple of late mistakes when a 5 ½ length 5th of 15 in the Greatwood Hurdle (2m ½ f). Likely to be thereabouts if his stamina holds.
Of those at bigger prices Wonderwall and Up For Parol appeal. Wonderwall looks nicely treated on his novice hurdle form from two seasons back. The 8-year-old has only had four starts over hurdles and make his debut for Peter Bowen who has booked Irish jockey Sean Flanagan for the ride.
Up For Parol was a 3 ¾ length 3rd of 20 to West Balboa in last year’s race and is 3lb lower this time around. The 8-year-old was a close-up 2nd of 3 at Fontwell on his return from a 6-month layoff 55 days ago. Looks on a competitive mark and one for the shortlist.
Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle Verdict:
Impose Toi is a worthy favourite and may have a bigger performance in him. At the prices I actually prefer his stablemate, King Alexander who open to further progress. Sonigino needs to improve again to win but it’s possible he can do so given he’s unexposed over the distance. Of those at bigger odds Wonderwall and Up For Parol are of major interest.
Warwick
1:49 – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 2) – 3m 1f
Kyntara has looked transformed by the switch to the Mel Rowley yard winning both starts at Lingfield and Aintree. The form of his Aintree win looks solid and even a 6lb rise in the weights might not prevent him winning again.
Martha Brae is 5lb higher than when winning at Kempton over Christmas, but the mare seems to be going the right way, finds plenty for pressure and does stay forever.
Third Wind finished third in this corresponding race two years ago before going on to win the Final at the Cheltenham Festival. The 10-year-old is off the same mark as when winning in 2022 but this is his first start since winning at Cheltenham 667 days ago.
2:24 – Trustatrader Hampton Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) – 3m
The top three in the betting Apple Away, Grey Dawning and Broadway Boyall have solid claims in what’s an intriguing race despite just the five runners.
The drop back to 3m is a slight concern for thorough stayer Broadway Boy who must concede weight to his rivals. On the plus side he’s likely to get his own way out in front. Grey Dawning looks capable of better stepping up to 3m over fences. He won over hurdles on this card last year and trainer Dan Skelton saddled last year’s winner. The 7-year-old can surely win a race like this and could be the one to beat. Apple Away was behind Grey Dawning on her seasonal/chase debut at Haydock but has since gone onto win at the Leicester. A Grade 1 winning hurdler last season, she’s capable of much better over fences and gets weight from both her main market rivals.
3:00 – Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 3m 5f
Fourteen runners and probably not the best renewal in terms of quality but it doesn’t lack competitiveness.
Irish challenger Malina Girl was going better than anything when falling three out in a race won by Broadway Boy at Cheltenham last time. If she’d stood up, I think she would have gone close to winning. She should be fine stamina wise as she won the Ulster National (3m 4 ½ f) last season. Trainer Gavin Cromwell’s record with UK runners in the last 90 days is 8 winners from 21 runners 38% +18.7, 11 placed. With an A/E at 1.80 the market hasn’t cottoned on to how well he’s doing. The rise in the weights now sees her carry top weight of 12-0.
Broken Halo was running well on seasonal return when falling two out in the London National at Sandown last month. His stamina for the distance has still to be proven but there’s a good chance he will. Trainer Paul Nicholls won this race back in 2015 and 2006/2007.
Beauport finished runner-up in the London National. He looked well suited to his first start over a marathon trip at Sandown. He’s less exposed than most of his rivals but I wonder if a patient hold-up ride will be a positive.
Galia Des Liteaux won a 3m Grade 2 novice chase on this card 12 months ago. The mare won a Listed mares only chase at Market Rasen on her return to action but was turned over at 2/5 at Newbury last month. A more strongly run race will suit the 7-year-old who is well suited to soft ground. Stamina to prove but there’s a decent chance she will stay 3m 5f.
My Silver Lining has been running well this season with form figures of 122. Likely to come up short upped in class but could get into the frame.
Major Dundee won the Midlands Grand National (4m) last March from 6lb lower and has been subject to support in the ante post betting this week. Seems likely to be competitive with the addition of the first-time visor. His trainer Alan King saddled the winner of the 2021 renewal.
The rise in the weights has benefitted course specialist Volcano who is just 2lb out of the handicap. The 10-year-old has won five of his six starts over fences at the track including C&D. The only time he hasn’t won was when a 16 length fifth in last year’s race when he was 10lb out of the handicap. A bold jumper of a fence he’s once to consider off bottom weight.
Classic Chase Verdict: The rise in the weights hasn’t helped Malina Girl but provided her confidence here hasn’t been affected by her latest fall she’s got a good chance. I have this as a 11/2 the field race so her 9/2 odds don’t make her value despite her obvious claims. Broken Halo was running a good race when coming down in the London National. I think he will stay and he’s tempting. An evenly run race will suit Galia Des Liteaux and the mares goes well around here. The weight rise has suited bottom weight Volcano and I think he can get into the frame.
3:35 – Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase (2023 Veterans’ Chase Series Final) (Class 2) – 3m
Fifteen have been declared for this popular race although the De Rasher Counter looks set to go for 1:30 at Kempton so it’s likely fourteen will meet the starter. There’s not much you can really say about these old favourites. I have eight on my shortlist.
The first four of them all ran in a series qualifier over C&D in November. Thomas Darby, despite being 11 he’s only had six starts over fences and he gained his second win over the large obstacles when winning a veterans chase over C&D. He had Mill Green 1 ¾ length back in second. The latter is like Thomas Darby no typical veteran after just 4 outings over fences. Saturday’s bigger field might suit him better as it did over hurdles, and he gets a 4lb pull with the winner. Back in third at Warwick was Aye Right. He ran below mark expectations after a good effort on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow. A normally consistent and classy chaser at his best He hasn’t won as many races as he should but has to be respected given his normally solid jumping. Back in fourth was Cepage who left that form well behind when winning in the first time cheekpieces at Cheltenham last month. He’s been hit by a 6lb rise but remains well treated on the best of his back form. Trainer Venetia Williams won the 2019 renewal with Houblon Des Obeaux.
Lord Du Mesnil was a 7-length runner-up to Cepage at Cheltenham last time. It was a commendable effort by the 11-year-old given 2m 4 ½ f was barely an adequate stamina test, on good to soft ground likes soft ground, given he stays 3m 4f. He goes well on soft ground, jumps, and stays well and must be considered a lively contender back up in trip.
Sam Brown found things happening to quickly in the race won by Cepage at Cheltenham. He’s become a bit frustrating but the return to 3m is a plus. First time visor replaces the blinkers today and he’s got a big chance if returning to the best of last season’s form.
Ramses De Teillee was a 2 ¼ length 2nd of 18 in last year’s race and is 4lb lower this time around. A reproduction of last season’s effort would see him go close. However, this would be the 12-year-old’s first start for 271 days and horses returning from 45+ day layoff are 0 winners from 23 runners. 5 placed.
Nestor Park is 1 from 17 over fences but he has placed nine times so you can’t knock his consistency albeit he finds winning hard. On a going day he’s weighted to be competitive. The first-time blinkers replace the cheekpieces and if the headgear change has the desired effect, he’s a place contender.
Veterans’ Handicap Chase Verdict: Aye Right is causing me plenty of angst I think he wants a stiffer 3m but if I’m wrong, he’s got a major chance with Dylan Johnston taking off a handy 7lb. Thomas Derby and Mill Green ran well over C&D last time. The switch to this track will suit the former but a good pace and bigger field is a positive for the latter. I fancied Lord Du Mesnil for the race when it was at Sandown, and I’m loathed to desert him now. The change of headgear makes Sam Brown of major interest. He’s well treated but not the most reliable these days.
Wetherby
1:10 – William Hill Towton Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 3 ½ f
Two non-runners including the Willie Mullins trained Meetingofthewaters means we’re down to just four runners. Thankfully it’s the first race on ITV and the action only gets better.
Colonel Harry runner-up in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown last month, shaped like he will be suited by today’s step up in trip and is the most likely winner. His biggest rival looks to be Trewlane. A three-time winner over hurdles last season, he made a winning chase debut at Carlisle in November and was a solid third to Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham last month. Will likely been seen to better effect over further and the yard’s present form isn’t great either.
Betting Advice:
As today’s preview is fairly long, I’m sending it out early to allow you to digest it.
My selections and betting advice will be posted in the morning so watch your inboxes.
Cheers
John