8.45pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 13/09/2017

A field of thirteen go to post for the penultimate race of the night at Kempton on Wednesday. See our betting tips and full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: COVERHAM has gone desperately close on his last three starts for James Eustace and can deservedly get off the mark at the fifteenth attempt for connections. He was only beaten half a length at Newmarket on his latest start in Class 5 company and he’ll be much happier back in Class 6 company. Add the fact that Rossa Ryan takes off seven pounds from his back and you have a winner in waiting. There is no shortage of dangers, with the unexposed Slow To Hand likely to give him the most to think about.

1 BRASTED – Has run well at points for Lee Carter but his two runs this year have been very poor and leave him with plenty to prove at present. He was last seen at Chelmsford in May finishing last, losing his place a long way from home and far more is needed under Paddy Bradley if he’s to be threatening the judge. His strike-rate is far from appealing and, despite being two pounds below his last winning mark, he’s best watched.

2 ST PATRICK’S DAY – Five-year-old for John Jenkins who generally struggled towards the back end of last year, well beaten on his latest start at Wolverhampton in January. He’s a triple all weather winner but it’s hard to be confident that he’ll be back to his best after 246 days away from the track. He’s best watched on his first start for such a long while, as he’s entitled to need it.

3 CANDESTA – Dual course and distance winner for Julia Feilden who’s back to his last winning mark and he’s not been beaten far on recent starts. He was last seen at Newmarket, finishing sixth after running well for a very long way. That was a higher grade than this and a return to this venue could spark him back to life. He looks sure to play a key role and has to be considered.

4 COVERHAM – Deadly consistent sort who is now a fourteen race maiden, with form figures of 32223 this year for James Eustace. He wasn’t beaten far on either of his last two starts at Newmarket and those were both in Class 5 company, with a drop back into Class 6 exactly what he needs. He’s effective here as proven in the past and with Rossa Ryan taking off seven pounds today, he can finally get off the mark.

5 WIDNES – Ten race maiden who caught the eye on his latest start at Chelmsford, keeping on very strongly after a slow beginning to make up a large amount of late ground. He’s two pounds lower here, quite remarkably, and drops down in grade, with a step up to the mile distance the likely catalyst to further improvement. He has sound claims under five pound claimer Joshua Bryan for an in form yard and is considered.

6 BALGAIR – Won on debut, but he’s found things much tougher since, well beaten on both of his starts when last seen in the summer. There can be an excuse for his latest start at Windsor as he didn’t stay the trip, but he’s hardly the most inspiring of challengers and needs more on his debut for Tom Clover. Best to look elsewhere.

7 SOLENT MEADS – Yet to get his head in front in eleven starts for Daniel Kubler, but he did show more encouraging signs on his latest start at Wolverhampton, finishing second and only caught in the final stride. He’s now four pounds higher which makes things tougher and he does have the widest draw to contend with, which is a big drawback as he’ll want to be prominent early. Hard to rule him out after that latest effort, but others make more appeal in this instance.

8 TRUE COLOURS – Showed ability in his first two maiden runs for Richard Fahey but he was beaten to the tune of eighteen lengths on his latest start at Pontefract. He now makes his all weather/handicap debut off a mark of 64 which isn’t necessarily harsh, but does demand him to improve again. He’s with top connections though and has three pounds off his back from Adam McNamara’s claim, so a market check is advised.

9 SLOW TO HAND – Made a successful handicap debut when scoring at Yarmouth in August and, despite a six pound rise, he went close again under today’s jockey Josie Gordon at Newmarket three weeks ago. That was in a Class 4 event and there is likely far more to come from him in time for William Jarvis. He’s likely to go close, although he does need to prove his suitability to the all weather which does leave a slight question mark.

10 AURIC GOLDFINGER – Readily won at Lingfield back in January on the all weather surface but he’s been very in and out since for Richard Hannon. He failed to beat a rival when trailing home at Chelmsford eleven days ago and that leaves him with plenty to prove under seven pound claimer Tina Smith. He’s still well above his last winning mark and couldn’t be backed with any confidence on this occasion.

12 HOT MUSTARD – All three of his wins have come on the turf for William Muir and, although he’s run well here in the past, he’s more often than not poor on this surface. His recent efforts leave him with plenty to prove regardless, as he was well held in fifth when fading out of things late at Bath over today’s trip. His last win came way back in August 2015 and others are readily preferred.

13 MCDELTA – Another who’s had all of his wins on the turf, but he’s run well here on many occasions and if he’s going to break his all weather duck anywhere, it’ll be here. He arrives here on the back of a third at Salisbury in Class 5 company, although they came home stretched out. He’s edging down the weights and has each way claims at his best, but others are higher on the list for win purposes.

14 RED DRAGON – Course and distance winner who ended a drought that spanned four years at Salisbury on his penultimate start, but a six pound penalty was enough to see him back to losing ways at the same venue ten days later. He’s back down the weights again, but still above his last winning mark, with plenty to prove now. It’s not hard to look elsewhere on this occasion as he’s hardly the most reliable.