3.55pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 02/05/2016

IN SUMMARY: GALLERY EXHIBITION (16/1 Each Way) was disappointing in this race last year but produced a very good performance to win over 2m4f here in November and his two very respectable runs this year have both been on ground much softer than he prefers. He’s not yet fully exposed over 3m and, now back on a sound surface, he might be the answer. Others on the shortlist are Garrahalish, who is well handicapped if perked up by the fitting of cheekpieces, Greenlaw, who made an encouraging return from an absence last month and Ballyheigue Bay, who was a C&D winner last year.

1 Ziga Boy – Struck form and won consecutive starts over 3m at Doncaster during the winter, the second success coming in valuable Sky Bet Chase; comfortably held in another major handicap over C&D in February but ought to find this race a bit easier and enters calculations.

2 Opening Batsmen – Career highlight came when landing Grade 3 handicap over C&D in 2013; also scored off today’s mark at Fontwell (2m5f, good) just over a year ago but has become very inconsistent and needs to bounce back from a poor performance last month; others preferred.

3 Gray Hession – Won his first three starts for Jonjo O’Neill in 2015, all at around 2m4f; could have more to offer over 3m this year but been off since slightly disappointing run in September and returns to action on fairly tough mark; tongue-tie refitted.

4 Gallery Exhibition – Now only 4lb than when gaining convincing win over 2m4f here in November and was very respectable fifth over the big Aintree fences on ground much softer than he prefers last month; not yet fully exposed over 3m and needs to be taken very seriously.

5 Warden Hill – Still lightly raced over fences and made quite pleasing return from absence when staying-on third at Cheltenham (3m2f, good) last month; not certain to be suited by today’s drop back in trip but is a dual course winner (bumper/hurdle); no surprise if he figures.

6 Court By Surprise – Back from break with decent effort when second at Chepstow (2m7f, good) in October but his other two runs last season were disappointing; ought to be suited by today’s trip, ground and track but getting long in the tooth now and needs to up his game.

7 Ericht – Made virtually all in first-time cheekpieces over 2m4f here in February, despite often jumping markedly to his left; will be fine over today’s trip and subsequent defeat at the Cheltenham festival can be overlooked, but he went up 9lb for the win and looks vulnerable now.

8 Call Me Vic – Won two small-field novice events last summer (2m6f/3m) but climbed the weights for his troubles and was soundly beaten back in a handicap when last seen; back from 194-day break here and still needs to prove he’s worth his current mark.

9 Filbert – Returned from break with two disappointing performances in the autumn and unseated rider after another layoff at Perth recently; on workable mark if back near best and has shaped as though worth a crack at 3m but has some questions to answer at present.

10 Ballyheigue Bay – Made all over C&D in February 2015 and ran a big race when third after absence at Sandown (3m5f, good to soft) in December; next two chase runs were disappointing and he finished down the field over hurdles last month, but current mark within his compass if back on song.

11 Bob Tucker – Dug deep to gain narrow success at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) last month, his second win over fences; the front pair drew well clear in that event so a subsequent 6lb rise doesn’t look excessive, but consistency is not his strong suit and this race is much more competitive.

12 Garrahalish – Failed to show his best form on any of his five starts last season but has slipped to a handy mark now; seems versatile regarding trip/ground and could have a say if perked up by first-time cheekpieces.

13 Greenlaw – Seemed to go off the boil after winning three times from four starts in March-June last year (2m5f-3m2f) but now only 2lb higher than when gaining his latest victory and ran well for a long way when fifth after absence at Newbury (3m2f, good) last month; player if building on that run.

14 Representingceltic – Came from off the pace to land comfortable success over C&D in March 2015 but struggled on his three subsequent outings last year and suffered early mishap when back in action last month; still 8lb above his winning mark and overall profile not that appealing.

15 Fond Memory – Second of two Class 4 chase wins in 2015 was gained over C&D in October; subsequently ran well again at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) in December but was pulled up at Sandown in February; last month’s mishap here wasn’t his fault but the worry is that he’ll find today’s opposition too hot.

myracing Forecast Prices: 7/1 Bob Tucker, 8/1 Gray Hession, Warden Hill, Garrahalish, 10/1 Ziga Boy, Opening Batsman, 12/1 Ericht, Call Me Vic, Filbert, Greenlaw, Fond Memory, 14/1 Ballyheigue Bay, 16/1 Gallery Exhibition, Court By Surprise, 33/1 Representingceltic