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A field of eight go to post for the fifth race of the day at Kempton on Wednesday evening, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.
IN SUMMARY: Clowance One has shown he retains ability after two good runs since a long lay off, but this looks set to go to Denis Coakley’s KING CALYPSO. He has run two brilliant races over course and distance the last twice, winning his latest starts under a hands and heels ride from today’s rider Oisin Murphy. He’s only been raised four pounds as a result and looks set to make it two on the bounce, as he looked value for more on that latest start. Lanceur didn’t have things his way on his latest start and should figure for the placings under Josie Gordon.
1 HANDAZAN – Useful hurdler at his best back in 2014 but he has been very lightly raced in recent times and he hasn’t been seen for 579 days. He runs for the Ivan Furtado yard who are in blistering form but it’s hard to know what form he’ll be returning at and the market is likely the best guide as to expectations after such a lengthy absence. Best watched all the same.
2 TAWS – Finished second in the 2015 Queen Alexandria at Royal Ascot for this yard and although she hasn’t been seen on the flat since September 2015 (when last in the Doncaster Cup), she placed on four of her five hurdling starts last term. Interesting back on the flat off a mark of 85 but she’s another with whom it’s hard to know what ability she will return in back in this discipline. Possible each way contender on previous exploits.
3 GRUMENTI – Won the Cesarewitch back in 2015 who won on the all weather on his seasonal debut at Wolverhampton in March. He was raised three pounds as a result and wasn’t disgraced to finish sixth, though there is no doubt more is required off the same mark if he’s to be featuring for Alan King. Has won off this mark in the past but he’s nine now and whether he’s up to that level again in questionable. Vulnerable for win purposes.
4 KING CALYPSO – Two good runs over course and distance the last twice for Denis Coakley’s six year old, finishing second here before a smooth success back in May. As a result he’s four pounds higher but he clearly performs well here and he wasn’t hard pressed to go clear on his latest start, only getting a hands and heels right. Oisin Murphy retains the ride and he looks set for a big run once again with everything in his favour.
5 NEXT TRAIN’S GONE (NON RUNNER)
6 CLOWANCE ONCE – Has shown he retains ability on both his starts this season after returning from a lengthy lay off. He has finished third here on two runs over the 1m 3f and 1m 4f trips, keeping on well on both occasions. The step up in trip should suit and he should be in with a shout for the placings if everything goes right for him, though he is perhaps vulnerable for win purposes off this mark.
7 LANCEUR – Inconsistent sort for William Stone who returned to form when second here over course and distance in June, keeping on well after being denied racing room at a crucial stage. He is up a pound in the handicap as a result but that could be lenient as he clearly didn’t get the rub of the green that time around. If in the same form again he looks hugely dangerous under Josie Gordon and needs to be respected.
8 AGE OF WISDOM – Won a maiden in France when with the Andre Fabre team but he was 40/1 for British debut with the Gary Moore yard, finishing a well held eighth. He has been dropped five pounds in the handicap as a result but that does little to convince as he showed very little on that outing. Noel Garbutt takes off a useful three pounds but it’s hard to see him playing a big role with all things considered.
9 MULTIFIGTED – Arrives on the hat-trick after two wins in Class 5 company for Michael Madgwick, winning by a wide margin at Chepstow on his latest start. As a previous course and distance winner she does warrant some respect but this represents a rise in class and her new mark of 72 also demands a huge amount of progress. Others make far more appeal and she’s booked for a minor role.