The Monday jumps card at Kempton gives way to all-weather action this afternoon and Colour Catcher (2.10) is taken to improve on his debut when green but running on strongly into third place in a decent little race. The colt is not much to look at, to put it mildly, but he should have learnt plenty from his first start and is entitled to come on for the experience.
Newcomers Rasha (cost £65,000 as a yearling) and the well-bred Merdon Castle are worth more than a passing glance on debut in what promises to be an informative maiden.
Despot (2.40) is hard to look beyond in the BetVictor.com Handicap given he looks sure to be raised by more than the 6lb penalty he carries for a fluent win over C&D last week under Ryan Moore. The selection was backed as if defeat was out of the question on his all-weather /handicap debut and should follow up. The obvious danger is Si Senor only 4lbs higher for winning over a mile here on his last start and another open to further improvement.
I am convinced that The Happy Hammer (3.10) remains well treated but confidence is tempered by his poor draw in stall nine (of nine) in the 7f handicap although the booking of talented 3lb claimer Oisin Murphy is certainly a positive. Lightly raced Mac’s Superstar is one to keep on side this term for James Fanshawe but The Happy Hammer gets the each way vote in another fascinating race.
The feature event is the Download the BetVictor App handicap over 11f and it promises to be a most informative contest with a number of unexposed 3-year-olds in opposition many making their seasonal reappearances stepping up in trip. Wonder Weapon finished runner up over C&D last time and must go close but Warrior Of Light (3.40) still holds an entry in next weeks’ Dante as well as the Derby for David Lanigan and gets the vote.
The step up to a mile will suit Wojha (4.10) who finished fourth at Newbury on debut over 7f, is well drawn in stall four and must go close although the beautifully bred Stoute newcomer Provenance is worth a second glance in the betting although she does have a poor draw in stall 12 to overcome.
In the finale Billingsgate drops back in trip to a mile having finished fourth to Black Schnapps at Doncaster on his turf debut last month. It would be no surprise to see jockey Mickael Barzalona let him bowl along in front but I am sweet on the chances of Kafeel (5.10) who landed a Lingfield maiden on his second start back in October and who can improve again this term.
At Exeter Maxi Chop (5.50) can be a winner for the new partnership of Paul Nicholls and Sam Twiston-Davies returning from a near five month lay-off. The forecast good ground will suit this French import who has failed to fire since moving to the Champion trainer but looks sure to win races especially on this decent ground.
Karinga Dancer (6.50) is not yet the most fluent of jumpers but is a talented horse for Harry Fry and AP McCoy takes over for the first time today back on a right-handed track which might also be a help. He will have to be back to his very best to fend off a host of potentially well treated rivals headed by Lidar although he has never won beyond the minimum trip.
Taradrewe could still be ahead of the handicapper but the lightly-raced Swallowshide (7.20) gets in off what looks like a decent mark on his handicap debut and this half-brother to Kentford Grey Lady should appreciate this better ground having been bogged down in the Ascot mud when last time back in January.
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