Our all-weather expert Jamie Maynard is back with two bets for Kempton on Friday evening with one already a proven course specialist.
19.45 Kempton - 32Red Handicap
A fairly competitive looking handicap for this grade over the mile-and-a-half trip. Harry Fry rarely has a runner on the Flat and his representative Status Quo runs on the level for this trainer for the first time. He’s been very modest of hurdles as of yet but did run a few good races off a higher mark when with his previous handler so any market support should be noted.
The ultra-consistent Boychick returns to the track for the first time since his turf victory at Windsor at the back end of July. He’s only been unplaced once in his last 12 outings (winning five) and has therefore been raised 15lb and it’s not certain that he’ll be completely ready for battle after a five-month break.
Flight Of Fantasy deserves the utmost respect having finished a close second the last day in a better grade under the same conditions and although up 2lb in the ratings he’s gone close off this mark before so should be right there.
The selection however is Archie Watson’s filly ERINYES. She won a course and distance maiden on her second start before finding the listed Chalice Stakes too hot too handle next time out. She was too keen when a well backed favourite on handicap debut but settled much better last time out on Lingfield’s polytrack and although sixth she was only beaten under two lengths and is still very unexposed. She’s got the talented Oisin Murphy on board today (rode her for her only success) and the addition of first-time blinkers could help her concentrate that little bit more and any improvement will see her go close.
20.45 Kempton - 32Red Casino Handicap
Not many arrive here with form to shout about. The once 85-rated Steal The Scene didn’t show much last year against slightly stronger opposition and as a result has now slipped to a mark in which he could play a leading role. He was just touched off at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day from this same mark of 67 and if reproducing that run here he could go close.
Exit Europe has a course win to his name and was only beaten just over a length on stable debut three runs back at his track. His latest effort was too bad to be true and if first-time cheekpieces bring about improvement he could reward each-way players for Sir Mark Prescott.
The one I’m pinning my colours too though is the four-time course winner MAGIC MIRROR. Two of those wins came over this distance and his form at the back end of last year reads well, 2-1-1-3. He’s on an unchanged mark of 63 after a half-length defeat when favourite over a furlong shorter last time when finishing strongly and this five-year old now steps back up in trip and has been given a nice draw. He’s representing a small yard in Mark Rimmell who does well with runners here (25% strike-rate) so should put up a bold bid.
Recommended bets:
0.5pts e.w. Erinyes in 19.45 Kempton at 11/2
1pt win Magic Mirror in 20.45 Kempton at 3/1
Posted at 2230 GMT on 04/01/18.