All-weather expert Jamie Maynard previews the pick of the action at Kempton tonight.
4.40 Kempton preview
Click here for racecard & free video form
Three of these faced each other in a nursery over course and distance a fortnight ago and it was Secratario who just held off Sotomayor by a half length, with Miss Condi well beaten.
The winner is 4lb worse off this time round but looked as though he had a bit more in hand at the line and should confirm the placings once more.
Rae Guest’s Roman Spinner won at this venue over six furlongs in September before twice finishing second off a climbing mark, the latest in a higher grade. He’s up another 5lb in the handicap and add to that the inconvenience of having the widest draw probably makes him worth opposing here.
The selection is David Evans’ GIVE EM A CLUMP.
He’s won twice on the turf, one of which was over this trip and his most recent effort on the Fibresand at Southwell was arguably his best yet. He was caught in the shadow of the post that day and is perhaps fortunate that the handicapper has left him alone here.
This battle-hardened juvenile has been handed a nice low draw and has the experience of Adam Kirby in the saddle, factors which should see him go close.
6.40 Kempton preview
Click here for racecard & free video form
The feature race on the card is an ultra-competitive Listed event over a mile. Only two of a 14-strong field are rated below 100, which shows how competitive this is.
Accidental Agent has been in great form in recent months. In between two handicap victories he was beaten a neck in a similar event over seven furlongs. His latest effort on his first start over a mile was promising, so the fact he’s unexposed at the trip and unbeaten on the Polytrack would give him a good chance, despite the recent form of his handler.
David O'Meara makes the long trip south with veteran So Beloved and he’s more than capable of getting involved on past form, such as when second in the Group One Prix de la Foret at Chantilly, but, although previously winning a maiden a decent handicap over a mile, his form over this trip hasn’t been as good as it has over shorter.
Second Thought has thrived on the all-weather and remains unbeaten from four starts on synthetics. He landed a valuable class 2 conditions race at Lingfield in the spring and although coming up short in three turf runs over the summer certainly wasn’t disgraced, most notably when a four-and-a-half-length second to the brilliant Harry Angel. He's up to a mile here which could also unlock further improvement.
However, one who I think can go well at a bigger price is KHAFOO SHEMEMI for Richard Hannon.
His only visit to this track ended in a comfortable three-and-a-half-length success over this distance. This three-year has since won a couple of times at this level, both at Sandown and although he’s penalised for this, he might not be done improving and has conditions to suit here.
At the prices, he rates a solid each-way play.
Recommended bets:
1pt win Give Em A Clump 4.40 Kempton
1pt e.w. Khafoo Shememi 6.40 Kempton
Click here for our transparent tipping record
Posted at 0755 GMT on 22/11/17.
