There is a terrific listed contest at Kempton this evening with Captain Cat (6.25) stepping down in grade having finished fifth on ground softer than ideal in the QEII on Champions’ Day at a soggy Ascot last month. The 5-y-old acts on tonight’s surface having scored over C&D last October, has an excellent draw in stall four and must go close in a fabulous race for the grade.
The progressive Prince’s Trust is a big danger having created a very favourable impression when scoring at Lingfield last time on his all-weather debut but he has the worst of the draw and he will do well to get competitive from stall twelve.
Desert Snow is unexposed at extreme distances for Godolphin and is a fascinating contender stepped up to 2miles for the first time but Buckland (6.55) is 10lbs lower than when finishing runner up over C&D last April and has been running well in defeat on turf of late for Charlie Fellowes. He looks sure to appreciate a return to Kempton and looks a fair price on the BetVictor tissue at 5/1.
A decent flat card at Lingfield this afternoon where the feature race is a valuable 6f Handicap with Tom Dascombe’s recent Haydock winner Barracuda Boy (2.00) hoping to defy top-weight. The yard have been quiet in recent weeks but this 4-year-old has a cracking draw and must have every chance of following up his latest victory off a 6lbs higher mark.
In Ireland Shaneshill (1.35) the Cheltenham Bumper runner up makes his eagerly awaited hurdle debut at Fairyhouse and is already the 10/1 favourite at BetVictor for the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival come next March. There are 16 runners going to post and Keppols Queen and Wrath Of Titans have decent enough form in the book to give the selection a fair test but the selection should have far too many gears in what promises to be a most informative contest.
At Warwick Jayo Time (12.40) can actually race from a mark 7lbs lower than when finishing in mid-division at Cheltenham last weekend over an extended 2m 5f trip. The drop back in distance ought to suit and his astute trainer wouldn’t send him out again if he didn’t think he was any the worse for Sunday’s race.
De Kerry Man is an interesting contender for the Novices’ Handicap Chase and a market move would be worth noting but another chasing debutant Silvergrove (1.10) will be spot on following a spin over timber at Exeter and has always suggested he would make a better chaser than hurdler for Robert Woolacott. The selection will get further in time and Micheal Nolan keeps the ride.
A market move for Chac Du Cadran would be worth noting in the Stayers’ Handicap Chase given he is absolutely chucked in on his best form and he is still only eight years of age. If Chris Bealby has got him back to anything near his best he would be tough to beat but it is hard to recommend a horse with recent form figures of FPPP.
Winning pointer High Aspirations (3.10) looked to be going best when over-jumping at the second last at Ffos Las last month but has been raised 5lbs for that effort. Another who was always going to make a better chaser than hurdler he can make amends although do check if the market speaks in favour of the top-weight.
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