1.30pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 07/11/2016

Robert’s Star was a wide margin winner over 2m 7f at Worcester in the summer and he chased home the very progressive Vintage Vinnie at the same track in September. He is likely to be well in the mix if he can reproduce that run and having travelled really well for the most part that day the drop in trip here should be an advantage. With more to come after an encouraging enough debut over fences he gets the nod.

1 OLDGRANGEWOOD – Won a maiden hurdle at Ayr in February before chasing home Impulsive American and Alcala in a hands and heels event. Decent third at Carlisle last time out but his last two runs have been pretty disappointing considering how short he went off and he needs to improve to land this.

2 PLAY THE ACE (non runner) – Trained by Peter Bowen, Sean Bowen taking the ride. Unseated when travelling very strongly at Fontwell Park last time out (Hit 1.65 in running) and this looks a golden opportunity to make amends with a clear round of jumping. Still very lightly raced and his best days are yet to come.

3 ROBERT’S STAR – Oscar gelding who was well beat into second place when sent off favourite at Southwell last month. Travelled well for a long way that day so the drop back in trip could play to his strengths. Lightly raced and won well at Worcester in June so he must hold every chance if his jumping holds up.

4 LITTLE POP – The Nigel Twiston Davies yard are in terrific order at the start of the season and this exposed eight year old will take advantage of any mistakes from his rivals. A winner at Hereford last time out, he comes here at the top of his game and Ryan Hatch takes off a valuable three pounds in the saddle.

5 HAHNENKAM – Chased home Thomas Blossom at Exeter in an amateur riders’ handicap hurdle when last seen and his sole success came at Worcester in the summer, landing a moderate bumper. He will need to show a lot more to land this but there’s a 7 pound claimer in the saddle to make things a little easier.