7.40pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 05/07/2017

A field of eight go to post for the fourth race of the day at Kempton on Wednesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: It was all far too easy for useful hurdler ZUBAYR as he coasted clear over course and distance on his latest start, running away with the race in a fast time despite idling late on. He starts off in handicaps on a mark of 83 which looks very lenient and with Megan Nicholls again taking off five pounds, he is set to take all the beating. His likely main danger will be Pumblechook, who has been progressive for Mark Johnson and if transferring his ability to the polytrack, he will be hugely dangerous.

1 SUNBLAZER – Has a good record on the all weather including course and distance form of 312, back down to his last winning mark for today’s outing. He was a good second at Salisbury on his penultimate start and although he failed to back that up at Chester subsequently, he should be happier back on the synthetic surfaces. Joshua Bryan takes five pounds off his back and he has definite each way claims.

2 GIBBS HILL – Consistent sort for Roger Varian who hasn’t finished outside the placings on any of his six starts for connections, last seen at York where he was a good third behind subsequent Listed winner Lord Yeats. He remains on the same mark and this looks an easier race, so he has to be shortlisted on that basis with Ryan Moore taking over the ride.

3 MARMAJUKE BAY – Has a great record in smaller field events for Mark Usher and this four year old is no stranger to the winning feeling, victorious on four occasions from thirteen career starts. He took his latest victory at Haydock when making all at Haydock last month, racing keenly early on but that did little to stop him. He is up four pounds as a result which takes him to a career high mark and this is trickier, so he can only be given each way claims if in the same form again.

4 REGICIDE – Progressive sort for James Fanshawe who won at Lingfield in a maiden on his penultimate start before a game second over 1m 2f here back in May. As a result he’s up three pounds but he likely has more to offer under Tom Queally and this further distance should help unlock further potential. Likely to be on the premises for the placings and shouldn’t be underestimated.

5 PUMBLECHOOK – Has progressed well since joining the Mark Johnson yard and arrives on a hat-trick after winning at Newmarket on his latest start. He was pushed clear under hands and heels for a ten length success and he’s only up six pounds in the handicap as a result. He’s up in grade which does mean more is required but he’ll be a danger if managing to carry his form over to polytrack. Inform Harry Bentley takes the ride and he looks the main danger to our selection.

6 TOP BEAK – Only one win from twelve start, with that win coming on debut in a useful looking maiden (fourth in that race is now rated 113). He hasn’t however improved since a good second at Haydock back in September, with his form stagnating since and he needs the switch to the all weather to light a fire in him. He showed little at Sandown when last seen and it’s hard to predict what mood he’ll turn up in, so others are preferred.

7 ZUBAYR – Rated 142 over hurdles for Paul Nicholls and he made only his first flat start in Britain when ripping a field apart under today’s rider Megan Nicholls over course and distance 35 days ago. He makes his handicap debut off a mark of 83 but that looks lenient as he was useful over hurdles and he put that maiden field away tidily despite idling, giving away a substantial chunk of weight to all his rivals. Megan Nicholls takes off five pounds and he looks veyr tough to beat if posting a blistering time like he did last time out.

8 PROCTOR – In good form in the summer for Stuart Kittow, winning two handicaps but he hasn’t kicked on from those in his last two runs. He signed off 2016 with a laboured last at Haydock and things were not better when he was well beaten at Sandown on return. Hard to know what you’ll be getting on this occasion and others are readily preferred.