6.50pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 14/02/2017

Eight runners go to post for Kempton’s fourth race of the day, a competitive looking handicap and a qualifier for the London Mile. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Ralph Beckett’s CHERBOURG should take a lot of beating in this after making a promising stable/British debut at Lingfield on his latest start, only beaten a neck despite not getting a clear run and better can be expected for today’s outing. He’s eased in class for today’s outing and should take a lot of beating for a yard that is having winners for fun and a jockey who is also in good form. Franco’s Secret is the most likely to follow him home if continuing to progress.

1 FRANCO’S SECRET – Just managed to get up at Lingfield on his penultimate start when running down Chevallier late on (1m, Std) and a 1lb rise was brushed aside when just hanging on over C&D on his latest start last two weeks ago (1m, Std). Raised another 2lb for that head victory but has to remain of interest despite being on a career high mark. Stall 5 isn’t a bad draw for his hold up style and is likely to run another big race under Tom Marquand and has to be respected.

2 CHERBOURG – Made a promising debut for Ralph Beckett on his first British start when second at Lingfield in January (1m, Std), only beaten a neck by Chevallier despite not getting a clear run at a crucial stage. Much better can be expected of him today on his second start for the inform yard as he should have gained a lot from his British debut. He’s eased in class for today’s outing with George Baker a good jockey booking and should take all the beating today.

3 ALEJANDRO – Losing run now stands at twenty-eight and is yet to win on the all weather from seven starts, with his latest eight at Wolverhampton not getting him any closer to changing that record (7f, Std). Seems to be regressing this season and stall eight isn’t exactly a gift, with the only real positive to be drawn for today’s run being he has the assistance Josephine Gordon to do the steering. Possible place contend if getting his act together off this basement weight but others have far more convincing claims.

4 ZAEEM – Has won only once since June 2015 which immediately doesn’t augur well and he was poor when last season on New Year’s Day, well beaten at Southwell (7f, Std_. Dropped a further pound to a mark of 79 which is now below his last winning mark, but he’s struggled in the past here at this venue and this looks a tough assignment for Ivan Furtado’s eight year old. Others have far more pressing claims.

5 MISTER MUSIC – Has only raced four times on the all weather and his latest fourth here behind Franco’s Secret two weeks ago did show some encouragement, running on well but give too much to do in the end. Dropped a pound which is a likely help for Tony Carroll’s eight year old and he remains with scope for progress on this scope and off this mark, so would have to be considered a place contender if in the same form again. Last win did come in July 2015 so he still remains vulnerable for win purposes, though.

6 FORT JEFFERSON – Lightly raced four year old who made it back to back victories in the summer when winning (just) at Newbury in June (1m, Good to Soft), getting up on the final stride. He was however soundly beaten on seasonal reappearance at Southwell in January, trailing in 23 lengths behind the winner (1m, Std). That is now two poor efforts on the surface and based on that evidence he can only be watched for Andrew Balding and David Probert.

7 BELEAVE – Twice a winner on the all weather last year, with the latest of those coming in March 2016 at Lingfield (7f, Std), but has been off 230 days after a second to Fort Jefferson at Newbury in June (1m, Good to Soft). Headed the final stride that day and as a lightly raced four year old she surely has further progress in her this season, but she is entitled to need this run and Fort Jefferson did the form no favours on return. Likely best watched today.

8 MATRAVERS – Two wins from seven runs for Sir Michael Stoute including over C&D, but that win came in September 2014 and he’s been off since a good second over C&D again in September 2014. Has changed hands since and joined Mary Hambro which is disconcerting and it would be some training performance for him to return with a victory after an 877 day absence. Likely best watched today though there no doubt there will be wins within in at some stage.

9 FIRE DIAMOND – Has been in great form on the all weather this winter with form figures of 311114 since October, with his latest win coming on his penultimate star at Wolverhampton in January (7f, Std). He was found out on his latest start however at Lingfield when raised into Class 5 company off a 7lb higher mark, a staying on fourth but never threatening the leaders. Going up in trip is likely to suit but off the same mark in even tougher company doesn’t seem likely to help his cause. Possible place claims but may well be vulnerable against some of these for win purposes today.

10 FREIGHT TRAIN – NR