Our man has four selections at Kempton on Saturday, including Highway One O Two in the Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' Hurdle.
Recommended bets
0.5pts e.w Larkbarrow Lad in 12.40 Kempton at 12/1
1pt win Erick Le Rouge in 1.15 Kempton at 9/1
1pt win Highway One O Two in 3.02 Kempton at 9/2
2pts win Ibleo in 4.10 Kempton at 2/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
LARKBARROW LAD was relatively well supported prior to placing fifth in the Listed Lanzarote Hurdle over this course and distance last month and Philip Hobbs' seven-year-old holds sound each-way claims in this lower grade.
The consistent son of Kayf Tara, who will compete off a 2lbs lower mark tomorrow, ran out a cosy winner on his penultimate start at Worcester and will be having just his second outing since undergoing surgery, which is often the time to catch a horse following such a procedure.
The manner of his Worcester success suggested that he may have plenty more to offer and Philip Hobbs has his string in fine form at present, which only further bolsters his claims.
The ground is of no concern and Tom O'Brien rode the scopey gelding to success at Southwell last March, therefore he knows how to get a tune out of him.
Paul Nicholls has landed the Pendil Novices' Chase ten times in the last fourteen years and the champion trainer will be doubly represented by Master Tommytucker and Southfield Stone tomorrow.
Both have won around here before and hold sound claims once more. However, ERICK LE ROUGE is unbeaten in three starts at Kempton and he was backed as though defeat was out of the question when scoring over this course and distance last month.
That handicap victory came off a mark of 134 and it goes without saying that much more will be required tomorrow. However, Jane Williams is superb at steadily improving those in her care - as proven with the progressive Monsieur Lecoq already this term - and I fully expect Erick Le Rouge to take another step forwards tomorrow.
The scopey son of Gentlewave was also entered in the Grade 3 Betway Handicap Chase later on the card, for which he was generally second favourite throughout the week. That is clear indication that he could still be ahead of his mark. Therefore, I am not too concerned about his official rating in comparison to his rivals.
All three of his Kempton victories have come over intermediate trips and he has already proven himself versatile in terms ground. Therefore, everything is in his favour and he can easily outperform market expectations.
The Grade 2 Dovecote Novices' Hurdle is an open contest on paper and it may be worth chancing Chris Gordon's HIGHWAY ONE O TWO, who has won a brace of novice hurdles by a combined distance of 30 lengths and is well worth trying at this grade.
Those victories were both achieved at Plumpton and the promising son of Shirocco will face much sterner opposition tomorrow. However, his prominent style of racing will be well suited to Kempton and he could take some pegging back if jumping fluently out in front.
Highway One O Two is a half-brother to the formerly useful Doctor Harper, who reached a peak rating of 140 over hurdles. Connections will be hopeful that he can surpass his sibling in the fullness of time and victory tomorrow would certainly put him on the right track to do so.
Buzz has looked a good recruit thus far and Benson is interesting after running well in the Conenders Hurdle at Sandown prior to refusing at the penultimate flight of hurdles. However, there is no stand out contender and Highway One On Two looks fair value.
Venetia Williams has sent out four winners from her last five runners including IBLEO at Huntington on Thursday, and the improving seven-year-old can go in again under a 7lbs penalty tomorrow.
Ibleo recorded a facile nine-length success in the hands of Charlie Deutsch, and it's fair to say that it better resembled a schooling session than a race. It was plain for all to see that he didn't have a hard time and he should be fully tuned up in his bid to land a hat-trick.
Ibleo is related to middle distance winners in France. Therefore, the extra half a mile should not be an issue.
Posted at 1640 GMT on 21/02/2020
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