3.50pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 01/02/2017

With a late drop out, its not a fun affair for each way backers as a field of seven go to post for the fourth race of the day at Kempton. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This is likely to be another chance for GARTER to claim victory over C&D for Charlie Hills. A winner off 12lb over C&D in October, he’s continued to improve since and he can race of the same mark as when finishing a close third at Lingfield in a tougher race than this. Callum Shepherd claims a useful 3lb and he’s likely to be tough to beat and should shrug off the attentions of Musical Taste who will improve for being back at this distance.

1 JACQUOTTE DELAHAYE – C&D winner back in August 2015 off a 5lb higher mark than this but hasn’t put her best foot forward since. Finishing a good  second at Newcastle in November (7f, Std), she has taken two backwards steps and her latest sixth at Lingfield was particularly poor (1m, Std). Needs to bounce back and is well handicapped if she was to with Paul Mulrennan on board, but others do make more appeal and this six year old remains vulnerable again.

2 LOLITA – Gave her rider a scare when fly jumping out of the stalls here in December (6f, Std to Slw) and despite being wide, she managed to take home second place in a great effort. Though she was nowhere near as good at Wolverhampton on her her latest start, finishing fifth of seven (6f, Std). Races off the same mark today and entitled to go well again, but this step up to seven furlongs does raise a question mark as she hasn’t proved her stamina and on previous evidence she doesn’t get the distance well. George Baker on board which is a plus but others seem more likely on today’s terms.

3 EAST COAST LADY – Tends to start awkwardly and surrender lengths at the start, though under Hollie Doyle she managed to make all at Chelmsford despite being keen in the early stages (1m, Std). She hasn’t been necessarily disgraced since though her latest sixth at Wolverhampton was underwhelming, again missing the kick which all but ended her chances (7f, Std). Risky proposition as she needs to break well to stand a chance and overall record of 2-29 doesn’t make for pleasant reading. If jumping on terms she will be dangerous from the front at this track but its hard to trust she will do.

4 LUCYMAI – Showed promise in early 2016 with a good third over C&D in February but hasn’t gone on from that since and has been poor on her two runs this winter after nine months off. She has finished last on both occasions, with both runs at Kempton and one over C&D. Hard to fancy her at present and her latest effort over the mile here was particularly poor, breaking awkwardly and never left last place. Impossible to fancy today.

NR WAHIBA – Good third at Lingfield on her British debut for Marco Botti (1m, Std) in December despite being keen and was a non stayer on her latest start here over 1m 3f, so the drop back in trip today will certainly suit. E110,000 purchase and is likely to do better yet, with a mark of 67 not looking particularly harsh on her as she’s likely to build on the promise she showed at Lingfield today now dropped back in trip. Daniel Muscutt takes the ride and is entitled to run very well today.

6 GARTER – C&D winner back in October off a 12lb lower mark than today’s, though she wasn’t disgraced on her latest start when third at Lingfield in a tougher race than this (7f, Std). Remains on the the same mark today and it certainly isn’t insurmountable as she remains in form for Charlie Hills. Brings the best form into the race and looks likely to run another big race with conditions to suit and Callum Shepherd claiming 3lb. Has to be respected and likely very tough to beat.

7 MUSICAL TASTE – Very inconsistent performer who hasn’t been suited by six furlongs the last twice, never able to get involved at Lingfield on her latest start (6f, Std). Last win came in October 2015 at Wolverhampton (7f, Std) and she’s now 11lb below that mark, though she’s been mainly poor since then. Remains opposable for win purposes but may run into the places if this turns into a truly run affair.

8 I CAN’T STOP – Showed minor promise when with Chris Wall for her first two starts but has shown little to nothing since joining Milton Bradley, beating only five rivals from a cumulative 34 she’s faced in three runs this winter. Blinkers had no effect when well beaten again at Wolverhampton on her latest start (7f, Std), finishing stone last. Impossible to fancy and likely well beaten again.