Matt Brocklebank picks out the best bets from Kempton and Ludlow on Monday and he's focused on one in-form yard expected to be among the winners again.
Kim Bailey has evidently hit form and he's backed to claim a Monday double, including MR GREY SKY in the two-mile handicap chase at Ludlow. He lost his way a little competing on heavy ground last winter but is consequently back on his last winning mark (120) and conditions look fine on this occasion. He also kicked off with a win 12 months ago so getting him ready after a break doesn't look a massive issue and the 10-year-old also has winning course form at Ludlow from his time over hurdles. There's an awful lot to like, in short.
Some really good stuff at Kempton with Gidleigh Park and Doddiethegreat making their respectively seasonal comebacks but the best bet may be on offer in the stayers' handicap hurdle. Craven Bay didn't lose much in defeat when nosed out of it at Fontwell but he's up another 4lb for that and preference here is for the Bailey-trained SHANTOU EXPRESS. He's not one to set your watch by but the recent runner-up effort at Warwick suggested he'd come on plenty for his Wincanton comeback run and although he too has been raised 4lb for being beaten, the revised mark of 114 still leaves him with plenty of room to manoeuvre given his past three victories have been achieved off marks of 125, 127 and 122. The ground won't be too bad at Kempton and Shantou Express could get a nice, easy time of things out in front which will be ideal for Tom Bellamy.
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