Weekend Watch: Kempton The Final Call For Festival Entries

We have top action at Kempton on Saturday, and the Eider Chase at Newcastle is always a competitive betting heat. It is the Sunbury venue we will be concentrating on though for this weekend’s best bets.

In the opener (1.15) DEYRANN DE CARJAC looks to have every opportunity of getting back to winning ways for the Alan King and Tom Cannon combination. Rated 146 at his peak over fences, he is too dangerous to dismiss off 129, and should find this easier than some of the tough battles he has been in this season. Drying ground and a flat track should suit him perfectly, and he looks to have major claims.

The Adonis Hurdle (1.50) is a race that traditionally has been a stepping stone to the Triumph Hurdle, and the Milton Harris team will be hoping to see KNIGHT SALUTE do exactly that and maintain his unblemished record over hurdles.

He reopposes Impulsive One who he gave weight and a beating to at Doncaster last time out when the Nicky Henderson runner finished third. The runner-up that day, Porticello, has since gone on to bolt up by 17 lengths in the Victor Ludorum at Haydock so the form looks solid. Milton Harris described the gelding’s recent work at home as “sexy” and he can notch another victory.

Pleasant Man is the big unknown quantity, making his hurdling debut for Paul Nicholls and has to be feared.

The Pendil Novices’ Chase is at 2.25, and PIC D’ORHY can bounce back to winning ways. He tried to go toe-to-toe with L’Homme Presse at Sandown and that plan backfired as he couldn’t keep tabs with Venetia Williams’ Grade 1 winner. Into calmer waters here, he can see off Minella Drama and provide yet another winner in this race for the Paul Nicholls team.

ICEO produced an emphatic display when bolting up over course and distance on his penultimate start, before coming unstuck at Cheltenham last time out. He can make amends returning to Kempton in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at 3.00.

Harry Cobden tried to restrain Iceo at Prestbury Park, and it backfired, as he was far too keen and eventually well beaten. He was most likely out of his depth behind Pied Piper and company and should be much happier back here with this relative test of speed.

At 3.37 we have the Coral Trophy, and I think we will see a big run from the Colin Tizzard trained THE BIG BREAKAWAY. A runner-up over C&D as a novice chaser behind Shan Blue, it hasn’t always been plain-sailing. However, the yard are in fine fettle, and The Big Breakaway warmed up for this with a recent spin over hurdles after a wind operation, which should have removed-the ring rust. Off a mark of 147, he has the scope to be better than that.

Advice

Kempton:

1.15 Deyrann De Carjac, 1pt win 9/2
1.50 Knight Salute, 1pt win 2/1
2.25 Pic D’Orhy, 1pt win 15/8
3.00 Iceo, 1pt win 7/1
3.37 The Big Breakaway, 1pt win 15/2

Three From Home Podcast

Ed Quigley, Kate Tracey and Frankie Foster get stuck into Kempton, which stages a trio of Grade 2 juvenile/novice races which could provide a few festival clues.

The trio also run the rule over the 3m Coral Trophy Handicap Chase which is expected to supply the most exciting action on the card.

There’s also the Eider Chase up at Newcastle to look forward to, Fontwell’s National Spirit card to mull over, and there’s those all-important Three From Home NAPs.

Your Racing Weekend Starts Here!