Recommended bets:
2pts win Choice Encounter in 7.15 Kempton at 5/2
0.5pt e.w. Rapid Ranger in 6.45 Kempton at 9/1
6.45 Kempton
The 12 runners who go before the judge for this six-furlong handicap are tightly matched on ratings but there are a couple that you can rule out with some confidence.
Pulsating sets the standard having won three in four (one over track and trip) before finishing third twice since off this revised mark of 67. She’s got a chance but there’s a suggestion that the handicapper may have caught up with her for now.
Desert Fox was the conqueror of the highly-progressive Spare Parts recently but this is a deeper race and although still unexposed in this sphere may find one or two too good from a 5lb higher mark. The ten-year old Higher Court goes in pursuit of a third course and distance success on the bounce and he’s only 5lb higher than for the first of those and if handed an easy lead he could take some pegging back.
However, in the hope that a few of these serve it up to the hat-trick seeker, which is likely given the manner he’s won the last twice, I’m pinning my colours to David O’Meara’s four-year old gelding RAPID RANGER.
He needs to put a recent poor run behind him but that is likely as it came over an extra furlong and he’s dropped back to a trip over which he notched up a Wolverhampton double previously.
His only prior visit here was on his second career start when a close second and that was arguably one of his best runs to date. These conditions seem to suit this son of Kyllachy and he’s still open to some improvement now tackling the Polytrack for only the second time.
If he puts his best foot forward this evening I can see him running a big race from a handy draw.
7.15 Kempton
A fairly competitive little handicap over the six-furlong trip and a case can be made for them all. Helvetian went close on his all-weather debut last week coming off a break and has untapped potential on this surface so should figure. Bezos would have a chance if turned out again (due to run 9.15 Kempton Friday) and Emilia James has a Polytrack win to her name at Chelmsford, although her best form to date has come over the minimum trip.
A confident selection comes in the form of CHOICE ENCOUNTER for the Michael Bell operation who, after a gelding operation in the summer, has improved nicely in his four subsequent starts, posting one win and three seconds.
His only victory came over this course and distance when the re-opposing Our Man In Havana was brushed aside and he was outpaced dropped in trip last time when attempting to make all.
This step back up looks ideal and from a 4lb higher mark for that sole success this three-year old looks the bet with Cameron Noble's 5lb negating that rise.
Posted at 2240 GMT on 26/01/18.
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