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15:20 Ffos Las
The first pick comes in this Class 6 handicap over one mile four furlongs.
For me this race revolves around the two last time out winners Champagne Champ and Mistamel.
Eve Johnson Houghton’s Mistamel won in commanding fashion in just a three-runner filed at Bath on firm ground. He looks ahead of his mark and Kieran Shoemark claims 5lb offsetting the majority of the 6lb penalty. The good to soft ground would be a concern to this son of Rip Van Winkle.
Preference is for Rod Millman’s Champagne Champ. The yard is in good form and this gelding is a big strong type, so there are no concerns about him carrying top weight plus a 6lb penalty here. He was very impressive over course and distance eight days ago and he can follow that up here following some good placing. In time he could want further but for now this trip seems up his street and similar tactics to when he won he should see him go close to backing up that win.
Of the rest Duc De Seville is back to the mark he won off in December at Wolverhampton but has something to prove on turf. While Alfaraaby has improved for the switch to turf and was a good second here when last seen. He steps up in trip here but has something to find on the top two.
Champagne Champ (WIN)
16:05 Carlisle
This is Division One of a Class 4 handicap over 7f and there is one in this field that could prove too good.
Silvery Moon is a big class dropper here after contesting in some competitive Class 2 contests. His form figures may not look the most appealing but he’s been in races against some very good horses, for instance Rembrandt Van Rijn and Mahsoob. His mark has always consistently stayed in the high 80’s and low 90’s but his last win came off this mark of 85 at this track. His two attempts over this seven furlong 200 yard trip have yielded a win and a place, so despite carrying top weight is a big player in this race.
Character Onesie and Stardrifter are both from Richard Fahey’s yard and he is a man in form after taking the big race at Ripon on Saturday with Don’t Touch. When there is more than one Fahey runner you look at the jockey bookings and Tony Hamilton tends to get the choice. He won on Stardrifter last time but switches to Character Onesie here, who for me could be to high in the handicap with what he’s shown on his last two efforts.
Silver Rime was a winner over a mile here last time and Sammy Jo Bell takes the ride again. She got him up to win here and the handicapper has only put him up 2lb, so he should go well but as a ten-year-old may find this trip a bit too sharp.
Silvery Moon (E/W)
19:40 Kempton
This is a Class 4 fillies handicap on the polytrack with the ‘dead eight’ going to post.
Abaq is well respected with how she won her maiden here but that was 406 days ago. Richard Hannon’s filly has been off the track and it’ll be the market that tells you about her chances. Her mark of 79 could be quite lenient and she could prove herself better than that but for this she’d be more of a watching brief.
Little Prairie returns to a synthetic surface after winning at Lingfield two starts ago. That day she made all to win a competitive maiden in good style, in which Journey was fourth and recently won the Listed Upavon Stakes at Salisbury suggesting that was a good maiden. Those tactics could suit this track, which is riding slower than usual after it was re-waxxed. At the last few meetings it has been hard for runners coming off the pace and going down the far rail. The draw in seven should help to get the best of the course and employ similar tactics under Jim Crowley.
Pretty Bubbles holds her from very consistently and is one to look at for place purposes, although she has won her fair share of races around here. From ten starts here at Kempton she has four wins and four places. However she is more exposed than some of these and could get beaten by improvers here.
Little Prairie (E/W)