3.05pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 16/10/2016

The five-runner Listed novice hurdle on Sunday’s Kempton is not a great race for the money on offer but our experts’ have identified a confident selection. Read on for our betting tips and full race preview.

IN SUMMARY: In terms of both quality and quantity, this is a poor turnout for a Listed event. However, it provides an excellent punting opportunity in the shape of BLACK CORTON. The Paul Nicholls-trained 5yo appeared to have his limitations exposed when only third at Newton Abbot two starts ago but he certainly didn’t run badly there and, having confirmed his wellbeing with a comfortable success back there recently, our experts feel he should be favourite for this. Former Flat-racer Taper Tantrum has been installed as the early market leader after his visually impressive success at Stratford six weeks, but his main market rival produced only a weak finishing effort that day and the margin of victory flatters Taper Tantrum.

1 Black Corton – French bumper winner who is 2-4 over hurdles since joining Paul Nicholls; will find this a bit tougher than when justifying short odds at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) recently but the form of his third there in May looks very solid and he’s expected to play a leading role.

2 Taper Tantrum – Fairly useful Flat-racer who is 2-2 since switched to hurdles this summer, the wins gained at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) and Stratford (2m, good); cruised clear to score by 15l on the more recent occasion but his main market rival found nothing for pressure that day and the value of that form can be questioned.

3 Deebaj – Has shown some fair form over hurdles but was well beaten over 2m4f at Worcester in June and is now 0-7 in this sphere; also disappointed on the Flat when last in action three weeks ago and faces a tough assignment at this level even if back on song.

4 New Agenda – Not seen since finishing fourth off a mark of 75 on Flat handicap debut here (1m, AW) in May; has enough stamina in his pedigree to suggest he could have a future over hurdles, but  has a tough standard to aim at on debut in this sphere.

5 Solstalla – Displayed improvement to win twice in novice company last month, at Worcester (2m, good) and Newton Abbot (2m1f, good), but was comfortably held when third of five in a Fontwell handicap on latest appearance and will almost certainly need to take another sizeable step forward to claim this prize.

myracing Forecast Prices: 10/11 Taper Tantrum, 7/4 Black Corton, 12/1 New Agenda, Solstalla, 25/1 Deebaj