Simon Holt preview and best bets for Kempton on Saturday February 23
Simon Holt looks ahead to Saturday's feature action at Kempton and has three selections including the returning Another Crick.
Recommended bets: Saturday February 23
2pts win Talkischeap in 3.35 Kempton at 9/2
1pt win Erick Le Rouge in 1.15 Kempton at 11/2
1pt win Another Crick in 4.10 Kempton at 9/4
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
A competitive card at Kempton on Saturday is highlighted by the 888Sport Handicap Chase in which TALKISCHEAP may prove well handicapped.
Alan King's promising chaser has run well on all four of his starts over fences, twice chasing home the smart 150-rated La Bague Au Roi at Newbury, beating Theatre Territory at Doncaster and then finishing a respectable second to On The Blind Side over this course and distance.
Considering he was giving the winner, a 151-rated hurdler last season, 6lb on the latter occasion, Talkischeap looks to have been given a chance off 145. He is a solid enough jumper, may be open to more improvement than one or two others in this field and is sure to stay the trip.
Those stepping up in distance include Modus and Rather Be, and recent course and distance winners Adrien Du Pont (up 7lb) and Glen Rocco (up 13lb) are preferred while the bottom-weighted Walt is possibly over-priced having shown improved form in his last two starts since being fitted with a tongue strap and a visor.
Earlier, ERICK LE ROUGE is fancied to defy top weight and complete a four-timer in the opening 888Sport Handicap Hurdle.
This improving five-year-old jumped fluently when winning over the course and distance on Boxing Day and a 5lb rise does not look too harsh.
Chester Williams again takes off 7lb and his jumping over the final two flights that day plus the fact he pricked his ears in the closing stages suggests there could be more to come.
Ballyandy (fourth) and Colonial Dreams (sixth) have boosted the form subsequently.
In the 888Sport Bet £10 Get £30 Handicap Chase, ANOTHER CRICK can supplement his Newbury success in December when accounting for Early Du Lemo (winner since).
The Noel Willams-trained six-year-old has looked a much better horse over fences this season and finished well clear of the third when second behind Destrier (also a winner since) previously at Southwell.
He looks progressive and should go on improving from his current mark.