2.15pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 22/08/2017

A field of 12 go to post in this Class 6 handicap raced over 6f. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This looks like a good opportunity for W G GRACE to get off the mark in handicap company. He’s bred to be better than this and ,whilst beaten comfortably of late, he will find this much easier than recent assignments and he can progress past his rivals for an in form yard. Laura Knight can give him the most to think about after having been dropped 2lbs in the weights since her last run, with Adam Kirby booked to ride.

1 RAVEN’S RAFT – Showed some decent enough ability in two Novice Stakes races on her first two starts, but she went backwards slightly last time out. She looked to have struggled on the Soft ground that day, however she won’t have any problems with today’s conditions. Luke Morris is booked to ride and a mark of 65 could be generous enough. Interesting.

2 GOLD EAGLE – Wasn’t disgraced in a difficult Class 2 maiden at Newmarket last month and she improved on that to finish fourth of 14 last time out. A mark of 63 looks reasonable for a filly that has proven a fair level of ability and she should go well. Others look to have a bit more scope though and it may pay to oppose her in this.

3 JAN’S JOY – The tongue tie is retained today having made a positive impact on Stuart Williams’s filly last time out. She ran well at Lingfield to finish fourth of nine, beaten four lengths and she showed her liking for the All Weather that day. The yard know the time of day with these sorts and she’s worth close attention in the betting on handicap debut.

4 LAURA KNIGHT – Was well supported in the betting at Bath last time out, but Gary Moore’s filly couldn’t pick up when asked. She’s stepped back up in trip which is a positive move and the booking of Adam Kirby catches the eye at this track. She’s been dropped 2lbs which will certainly help and she’s lowered in grade slightly, so there are reasons to be hopeful today.

5 W G GRACE – The step up in trip could bring out plenty of improvement in this son of Exceed And Excel and Mark Johnston is a master in these races. He has been beaten comfortably on all three starts to date but this looks easier and a mark of 61 should be well within his range. Franny Norton retains the ride and market support would be significant.

6 SILVER BULLET – A first-time visor is tried on Tom Dascombe’s filly today on handicap debut. She’s gone the right way in her races, although it’s a slight concern that her worst performance came over today’s trip. She has plenty of pace and she should be able to get into contention. However, whether she will be as effective over six furlongs remains to be seen.

7 JEAN PAGET – Was well supported in a Thirsk seller two starts ago (15/8 favourite) but she was well beaten and has subsequently failed to score in a seller. She doesn’t look to be improving which is disappointing after having gone well in a novice stakes race at Lingfield last month and she’s worth taking on again in this tougher race. John Egan replaces Franny Norton in the saddle.

8 GRAND ACCLAIM – Has been handed a horror draw in stall 12 today and Harry Dunlop’s colt looks up against it. He’s produced some mixed performances on varying surfaces and, whilst he looks to be going the right way, he lacks a bit of form with some of his rivals. Jim Crowley is a positive booking and he has to be respected, although others make more appeal.

9 VEGAS BOY – Beaten ten lengths or more in three starts to date and he doesn’t look to be progressing. He’s a nicely bred son of Society Rock and should be up to this level, but he’s not progressing as connections would have liked. A mark of 56 looks high enough on what he’s achieved to date and others are preferred.

10 RED FOR DANGER – Took a big step forward last time out to finish fourth of five, beaten 5 3/4 lengths last time out. She needs to do much more again to get into contention in this and she’s been off the track for nearly two months which is a slight concern. The market should guide best here, with a 5lb claimer taking over in the saddle.

11 RUE CAMBON – Improved on her last run but that’s scraping the barrel slightly having shown very little in three runs. She’s going to need more time to develop and learn more about her task before she starts to show signs of improvement. A mark of 50 should be fair in time, but it’s unlikely to be her day today for a yard that has failed to send out a winner from 22 runners at Kempton.

12 DARK HEDGES – Olly Williams’s filly has had plenty of chances to show improvement but she’s failed to display much to date. She’s stepped back up in trip today following a heavy defeat last time out and, whilst her first start in handicap company is easier than her most recent task, she looks up against it on these terms and stall 10 is a negative draw.