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15:40 Kempton This looks to be a tricky little handicap but it may pay to stick with in-form trainer Chris Gordon who has had six of his last nine runners over fences return as winners. His only runner on today’s Kempton card is Bugsie Malone who made all over course and distance last time out, putting in a sound round of jumping and showing a great attitude to beat Cloudy Bob by a neck and a 7lbs rise is offset by jockey Harry Reed’s claim, a jockey who has won two from three in the last twelve months when riding for this trainer. Cloudy Bob has been raised 4lbs for his defeat last time out and has only won once from thirteen over a three mile trip but has an excellent overall record at Kempton, making the frame in seven from eleven, and will likely run his usual consistent race without quite gaining victory. Bronco Billy has won over similar distances to what he encounters here and is respected along with Wilberdragon who, although was a little disappointing last time out, races for a trainer with a 33% winning strike rate here in the last twelve months. Bugsie Malone (WIN)
16:20 Southwell Just five runners go to post for this Class 3 handicap yet all five have to be considered. Early favourite Thomas Cranmer clipped heels and suffered a heavy fall when last seen in September last year but was in contention at the time and and won over today’s trip the time before so could be a threat if fully over the fall and the six month break. Bold Prediction has an excellent record on artificial surfaces and visits Southwell for the first time while Quixote debuts for David Loughnane following a decent run over today’s trip at Kempton in January, losing two places in the final strides but still only finishing a length behind the winner. Both could benefit from new surroundings and aren’t dismissed lightly. Call Out Loud has won his last three and has an excellent record over a seven furlong trip so it would be no surprise to see another big run, although was only a length ahead of rival Custard The Dragon last time out and is worse off at the weights today. The John Mackie trained four year old has won three from four over course and distance, the trainer himself has a 42% winning strike rate at Southwell in the last twelve months while jockey Ben Curtis boasts level stakes profit of +£38.08 to a £1 stake over the last three years at Southwell so a bold bid looks assured. Custard The Dragon (WIN)