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16:20 Kempton

Sunday 22 October 2017

All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2016:5017:20

Matchbook VIP Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 3m 44.81s

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Selected odds by:

Hint Of Mint¹⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: N P Madden| T: H Fry| OR: 136| D

16/1

Enjoyed a fruitful spell last season but paid the price with a climb up the handicap. Failed to complete his last two starts and now has a bit to prove after an absence since April.

Form: 3211FU-

Old Guard⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| D

1/1

Infrequent winner these days but merits respect for a race of this nature as he would be giving weight away to most were this a handicap. Still faces a tough test but his yard won this race last year, so has to be worth a check in the betting.

Form: 47747-7

Optimus Prime^t¹⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N D Fehily| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

4/1

Decent effort in a hot race at Haydock when last seen out. Needs to build on that and very possible he'll be sharper for the run.

Form: 2/82P6-2

Rayvin Black²³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Garner| T: O Sherwood| OR: 139| D

16/1

Likes to make the running and can ensure this is a good test for the rest. Style of running always leaves him vulnerable, as evidenced in the last two renewals of this race, so plenty of risk attached.

Form: 203257-

San Benedeto^p,t¹⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| D

9/4

Made very good progress last season and may well appreciate this ease in grade. Should have the race run to suit and looks to be a leading contender if sharp enough for his seasonal debut.

Form: 311113-

Miss Spent^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 115

66/1

The mare's last winning rating of 106 wouldn't be good enough to scratch the surface in comparison to the pick of the most of the rest and she faces a very tough task in this better company than she's used to racing against.

Form: P5-124P

Forecasts

Old Guard (1/1), San Benedeto (9/4), Optimus Prime (4/1), Rayvin Black (16/1), Hint Of Mint (16/1), Miss Spent (66/1)

Hard to escape the claims held by SAN BENEDETO and he can strike yet another blow for the powerful Paul Nicholls team. The gelding takes and ease in grade and looks the better option from the yard's two intended runners. That is not to dismiss Old Guard, who has a habit of springing the odd surprise, so merits a second look in the betting, as he could easily capitalise if his stablemate comes up short of expectations. Rayvin Black is an old hand in this race and can ensure a good pace unfolds. He will need everything to go his way to hold on till the end though.