By Charlie McCann
There is a terrific BetVictor sponsored card at Kempton this afternoon and the Mile Nursery features some of the most powerful stables in the land including Charlie Appleby’s progressive maiden Mountainside who improved for the step up to a mile at Wolverhampton last time.
He must go close but a chance is taken on Tempus Temporis (4.50) blinkered for the first time from the yard of John Gosden. The colt cost $300,000 as a yearling at Keeneland Sales last September and was not given too hard a ride at Lingfield on his polytrack debut last month. Nicky Mackay takes the ride and although he looks harshly treated on what he has achieved on the track to date he is open to considerable improvement for a stable who remain in excellent form with five winners from their last 17 runners in the last fortnight.
In the opening Follow @BetVictorRacing on Twitter Handicap the lightly-raced Dream Ruler (2.20) is a fascinating runner returning from a four-month break. The gelding won his maiden on debut over a mile back in March and looked ready for a step up in trip when third again over a mile when last seen back in August. Jo Crowley does well with her string and whilst he doesn’t have the best of draws in stall 10 he must go close in a competitive opener.
The Fillies’ Maiden sees some beautifully bred newcomers but Cartier (4.20) and Waldnah set a decent standard and the former is taken to make it third time lucky for David Simcock. The selection might get further next year but there should be enough pace in the race and she is taken to get the better of Waldnah who has already finished runner up in her three career starts to date.
At Catterick Cango is a fascinating runner for Michael Smith making his British debut under rules. A market move should be noted but Pindar (1.10) is still fairly treated on some of his old form despite a 9lb hike for winning at Sedgefield last time and can follow up.
Argent Night is a newcomer for Donald McCain who is worth more than a passing glance in the betting although his best flat form was on fast ground and he might be best watched against the more experienced pair of Chieftain’s Choice and Jacks Last Hope (1.40) with the latter getting the nod. Chris Grant’s 5-y-old landed the odds at Sedgefield last time and receives 7lbs from the mount of AP McCoy and with the ground likely to be no worse than good to soft can follow up his recent win in the North East.
The lightly-raced Palm Grey makes his handicap debut off a lowly mark for Sue Smith and has shaped as though he will appreciate today’s step up in trip and better ground. A chaser in the making the grey has only had four careers starts and looks sure to win his fair share of races especially on decent ground.
If In Doubt (2.40) cannot be opposed in the Beginners’ Chase and do remember that Jonjo O’Neill ran his Gold Cup contender Holywell at Catterick twice as a novice last season. The selection hasn’t looked the most natural of chasers to date but this small field will help and, with a clear round, he will be hard to beat.
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