Dave Smith's guide to Saturday's ITV7 races including the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton
There's another £50,000 on offer in this weekend's free-to-play ITV7 and Dave Smith has the guide you need for the crucial races.
SOLO will be a warm order for this despite giving weight all round. He's got Festival entries on the horizon and after a couple of nice spins in France he should take all the beating on debut for Paul Nicholls. Fujimoto Flyer is interesting for a trainer who has a fine strike rate in England but the horse has been off the track for a while. Earl Of Harrow could be a horse to take note of at a fancy price.
14:05 Lingfield - Betway Hever Sprint Stakes (Listed) (Class 1)
Front runner GOOD EFFORT will look for another quick start here and although the drop back in trip may not be a huge positive, his berth in stall one definitely is. Watchable is an admirable 10-year-old and will have to go some to reverse the form with the selection but Royal Birth, can potentially make use of the 3lb in hand he has on the favourite.
14:25 Kempton - Betway Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)
It is almost four years since market leader Ch'tibello won over this distance and after a relatively weak showing here at Christmas he's opposable. Elgin has been off the track for some time and it would be a great training performance for him to return with a win so it's a race where SONG FOR SOMEONE can show his progression. His run at Ascot in January has worked out well with sixth placed Pic D'Ohry having gone on to win the Betfair Hurdle and gaining his trainer's commendation post race.
14:45 Newcastle - Vertem Eider Handicap Chase (Class 2)
Trust has to be taken as to whether any of these horses will see out the marathon trip of over 4m in what is likely to be really heavy going. One horse though who ticks a lot of boxes is GLITTERING LOVE. He meets seven of the key trends of the winners over the last 20 years and with champion jockey-elect Brian Hughes booked, he should go well. Trainer Nicky Richards also has a 21.43% with firsttime cheekpieces showing a record of six wins from 28.
15:02 Kempton - Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)
Buzz will be popular in the market but his performances to date have not been without alarm and he's only won by small margins. WEST CORK is also entered in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and is a similar price to the market leader. He was impressive last time out at Huntingdon and can once again get the better of a Henderson runner to land this.
15:15 Lingfield - Betway Winter Derby Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1)
This looks to be a shoot-out between BANGKOK and Dubai Warrior with the former taken to land this. He had a number of this field behind him three weeks ago and the only question mark would be a debut on the all-weather. Dubai Warrior may well run him close with Frankie on board for his only ride of the day.
15:35 Kempton - Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (Class 1)
In what looks a competitive contest on paper, WHATMORE makes some appeal. He's a relatively consistent animal and ticks a lot of the right boxes. Most appealingly he's a good jumper and that can be key here. He's taken to beat Talkischeap and Dashing Perk.