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14:35 Kempton With the recent snow and general bad weather playing havoc with the National Hunt fixtures, we are left with two all weather tracks to focus on and this trappy heat at Kempton is our starting point to the day. As a general rule of thumb I like to pick a speculative looking handicap debutant and Happy Jack fits that bill perfectly, three times sent out as a no hoper in Yarmouth sprints he tackles a significantly longer trip today and an improved showing is surely expected. His Dam was an all weather winner at this trip though and although having plenty enough to prove, the trip and breeding lines suggest he will do much better so a chance is taken he can run into a place, trading currently at 8/1. Duke Of Dunton is similar to the selection and hails from a yard whom have fired out plenty of winners recently, market strength would be significant for this one though his plumb draw could lead to people getting carried away. Them that have proven form to their names are difficult to weigh up and inconsistent, the biggest danger from that side of things may be Pipers Piping who tackles this trip for the first time, off puttingly as a nine year old. Happy Jack (E/W if 5/1+)
15:40 Chelmsford City This looks a very decent race and winners will definitely come out of it. The form of the Godolphin horses on the all weather has been very difficult to knock and their eye for picking out races is second to none, they are represented by the hat-trick seeking and likely favourite Wentworth Falls in this. His two previous victories at Kempton are difficult to weigh up given the way he has rather outclassed his opposition but his confidence ought to be high and although taken on by us today, his chance is highly respected. William Haggas sent out the decent Graphic to win an all weather race the other day and is represented by another classy sort, Squats in this. He progressed nicely last term winning three times before finishing a highly credible, slightly unfortunate third in a Group 3 sprint at Newmarket. This represents a significant drop in class and although the turf is likely to see him at a better level, a chance is taken he will deal with the artificial surface and stamp his authority over these. Merdon Castle finished second to a decent one in a conditions event at Kempton last time, he looks another unexposed type with a realistic win chance but lacks the score of the selection. Squats (WIN)
16:40 Chelmsford City Oratorio’s Joy can take some riding and has been beaten plenty times enough already for most experienced punters to want to wade in today, Jamie Spencer looks an eye catching jockey booking today though and her chance is crystal clear, despite edging back up the weights. The dark horse could turn out to be Asia Minor whom must prove she wants this trip and also prove she is effective outside of her beloved Kempton. Precision Five is another interesting sort stepping up in trip, she ran on strongly to force a dead heat the last day over 1m 2f. The obvious issue with her is stamina and after reading her pedigree its very difficult to be strong on whether she will stay or not, her price also offers very little value so a chance is taken that the booking of Spencer will prove significant. Oratorio’s Joy (WIN)
by Chris Connolly