Hi all,
The highlight on Wednesday is the final of the London Stayers’ Series a handicap run over 2m at Kempton. Not surprisingly, with £80,000 in guaranteed prize money its attracted a maximum field of 14 runners.
Kempton
8:00 – London Stayers’ Series Final
Looking at the pace forecast the race is set to be strongly run with plenty looking to be raced prominently. The pace set up is a slight concern for Juan Bermudez who I like. The 3-year-old is lightly raced compared to most of his rivals having just had five starts and made a winning all-weather debut over C&D 28-days ago. Granted he got the race run to suit from the front last time but he’s just 2lb higher than last time is open to further progress on the all-weather and over 2m.
The forecast strong pace will suit with Duty Of Care and Imperium. The first named improved for the step up to 2m when winning over C&D 7-days ago. Coming from the rear to win going away last time. He’s unexposed over staying trips and although he’s got a 5lb penalty and this a deeper race he’s capable of better.
Imperium a four time C&D winner was in good form around this time last year. Lightly raced for a 6-year-old he looked in need of the run after a 7 month absence when a 2 length 5th of 8 over C&D three weeks ago. Should be better for that run and the forecast strong pace is a big positive.
A cracking midweek race I was taken with Duty Of Care’s win here last week and there’s likely more to come from him. Like Duty Of Care, Juan Bermudez is progressive and unexposed over 2m and if he doesn’t get involved in the early speed shouldn’t be far away, Imperium lacks the change of gear to win a slowly run race but a strong gallop will play to his strengths.
Imperium – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Juan Bermudez – 1pt win – 8/1 – Gen.
Cheers
John