The penultimate jumps card of the NH season at Kempton is centre stage this afternoon and it could be a good one for trainer Kim Bailey, with his pair of runners Abbreviate (2.30) and Mor Brook (3.00) fancied to reward each-way support under David Bass. The former receives 6lb from Dan Skelton‘s Swansea Mile and drops back to the minimum trip having been successful over two and a half miles under Bass earlier in the campaign at Southwell. The runner-up franked the form of that success last weekend at Market Rasen and the well-bred son of Authorised must go close freshened up returning from a short break.
Mor Brook’s form boasts more letters than numbers this term but there was a lot to like about his effort las time out at Exeter when he put in his best round of jumping this term. The handicapper has dropped him a further two pounds for that effort and it is hoped that a first-time visor eek yet further improvement to reward each-way support at a likely double figure price.
Trainer Oliver Sherwood has enjoyed a luckless April thus far with the ground going against Many Clouds prior to his defence of the Grand National at Aintree and The Organist falling at the last when looking a likely winner last week at Cheltenham. Nevertheless, it is hoped that Surtee Du Berlais (3.30) can give the yard something to cheer about in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles. The well-bred daughter of High Chaparral was well beaten in a Listed Handicap last time out at Newbury but prior to that has some excellent form to her name and should be competitive with conditional jockey Harrison Beswick taking off a more than useful 10lb.
Present View heads the weights for the feature 3m Handicap Chase under regular partner Brendan Powell and is a fascinating runner for the Jamie Snowden yard. The 8-y-o should strip fitter for a recent run over hurdles but with doubts over him staying three miles’ preference lies instead with Alan King‘s Pantxoa (4.00) who has fallen to a mark of 136. The 9-y-o hasn’t been this low in the handicap since winning a similar contest at Chepstow two and a half years ago and is chanced to bounce back under Wayne Hutchinson.
Montbazon is respected stepping up in trip for the yard and has been a stalwart for his Barbury Castle handler and could prove to be chucked-in if the first-time head-gear has its desired effect. Another that could prove potentially well-in is Nicky Henderson’s Clondaw Banker (4.30) who returns from a short absence after disappointing last time out at Market Rasen. The 7-y-o was an impressive winner of a bumper on his rules debut two seasons’ back and could prove better than his handicap mark of 124.
Laser Hawk (2.40) was well supported in the market prior to disappointing in a warm renewal of the Greatwood Gold Cup last time out at Newbury and has been given a chance to bounce back by the handicapper at Ludlow. Evan Williams and Paul Moloney boast a tremendous record in handicap chases at the track and the selection must go close dropping down in trip from a 3lb lower mark.
Tom George’s string remain in good form and after landing the corresponding race 12 months ago Kilbree Kid (3.10) is chanced to follow-up and land back-to-back renewals under regular partner Paddy Brennan. The selection has conditions to suit and must go close from a 3lb lower mark than last season’s success.
Dan Skelton’s Kentucky Star (6.05) was well-backed prior to finishing third in a competitive handicap hurdle last week at Cheltenham and must go close dropping down in both trip and grade at Sedgefield. The selection runs from an unrevised mark and is a confident selection to score under regular partner Harry Skelton.
The pair can double-up with Bandsman (8.05) in the concluding bumper. The selection chased home a well-backed favourite for the Harry Fry yard on debut last month at Ludlow and looks to have been well placed to make it second time lucky under rules in the finale.
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