4.45pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 04/04/2017

This is an interesting 2m 5f handicap hurdle at Kempton, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This race really won’t take a lot of winning and a chance is taken on PLANTAGENET. He makes his handicap debut off an extremely low mark and he’s raced in better company than this so he may be capable of better with a hood applied for the first time today. Boethius is falling to what should be a decent mark whilst Landscape is another likely to be popular in the betting.

1 JEBS GAMBLE – Beaten by sizeable distances on all his starts to date for Nick Gifford and he steps down in grade on his second start in handicap company today. There has been money about for him in his last two races (8/1 and 9/1) and connections may feel there’s more to come from him than he’s shown to date. He steps down in trip here but the yard are without a winner here from 27 runners.

2 A MONTMARTE – Showed some improvement last time out to finish third of five in a handicap hurdle off 1lb higher. She drops down in grade here which will help her cause and Daryl Jacob takes over in the saddle which is an obvious plus for a jockey riding to a 25% strike rate at the moment. She takes a big step up in trip and there could be more to come. Interesting here and there could be strong market support.

3 SERGIO – Well-beaten in three novice hurdle events to date, finishing no closer than 32 lengths to the winner on any occasion. He’s by Flemensfirth so there should be some ability in him somewhere and he starts his handicapping career off a low mark. Champion Jockey Richard Johnson is booked for the ride and he’s interesting here now stepped up in trip and put on better ground.

4 LANDSCAPE – Yard’s first runner here and it could be a winning one for Daniel Steele. He was just out-gunned last time out at Plumpton in a 3m 1f Heavy ground handicap. The handicapper nudged him up 3lbs for that effort which will make life tougher but he was competing off much higher marks when trained by Paul Nicholls and there could be another race in him yet. Respected, although vulnerable to a couple here.

5 BOETHIUS – Ex-Godolphin inmate who has shown very little on all starts to date over obstacles. His handicap mark has already fallen to a mark of 96 (from 105) and he gets plenty of weight here (age allowance) which will make life easier. Of interest if market support arrives and only unknown is the combination of a step up in trip and better ground for a yard with a 9% strike rate at Kempton.

6 BETTERLATETHANNEVA – Handicap debut today for a yard with a 10% strike rate here. She’s been well-beaten on all her hurdles starts to date but did show promise in a Good ground bumper back in June of last year so today’s better conditions should definitely suit her. Step up in trip shouldn’t be an issue and one that could progress off a mark of 86. 7lb claimer utilised today.

7 PHAR AWAY ISLAND – Experienced hurdler with 24 runs under his belt and he won a 2m 7 1/2f handicap on Soft ground in March. That came as a surprise (16/1) and the handicapper has been relatively harsh raising him 8lbs for that victory. He’s left unchanged on that mark following a heavy subsequent defeat and others make more appeal at the weights for a yard having their first runner here today.

8 DENNY KERRELL – 8 runs over hurdles without a win or placed effort to his name and he’s only picked up £525 in prizemoney in his 10-race career. He’s down to 81 today from 94 at the start of his handicap career and he’s been sent off no bigger than 8/1 even though he’s been beaten big distances. Jeremiah McGrath retains the ride and it’ll be interesting to see if support comes again today now the cheekpieces and tongue strap are left on again. Has a bit to do on form.

9 COURTINTHEMIDDLE – Showed a bit of promise on his point-to-point debut but he’s been disappointing since with a 55-length defeat the best bit of form to his name. He’s down 5lbs in the handicap which will help but he will need serious improvement with a step up in trip and better ground. Best watched today.

10 PLANTAGENET – Handicap debut today for the Mark Bradstock yard. He’s been pulled up on his last two starts and well-beaten in novice hurdle company towards the end of last year. Those contests were relatively good compared to this level and it won’t take a huge amount of effort to improve in this company off a basement mark of 77. Connections apply the hood for the first time and he’s only 6 so may be of interest at a bigger price.

11 COMEDY HOUSE – Twice a winner on the flat but has gone 14 starts without victory over obstacles and he’s very hard to recommend in this. He’s 6lbs wrong at the weights which makes a tough job even harder and his trainer is without a win from 8 runners here. Opposed again today.