8.10pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 16/08/2017

A field of 12 go to post in this Class 5 handicap raced over 1m. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: James Fanshawe’s SCOONES makes his handicap debut today off what could be a generous mark following a pleasing effort in a Chelmsford maiden. A mark of 65 may underestimate him having probably needed the run following a gelding operation and he can come out on top ahead of Mudallel who was just touched off last time out and proved himself to be on a workable mark.

1 MUSIC LESSON – Bumped into a useful sort last time out in first-time blinkers at Chelmsford. She’s dropped in grade today off the same mark and she should go well, although she does need to do more to get the better of a few well treated rivals in this. The yard have been out of form recently, without a winner from their last 13 runners and others make a bit more appeal.

2 NIBRAS AGAIN – Ran no sort of race in first-time cheekpieces last time out, finishing last of 12 and beaten 43 lengths. They’re left off today for his first start over a mile and he has gone well at Kempton previously which is a positive sign. However, he will have to prove he is fully effective over the mile and he remains a maiden from nine starts. Others are preferred today.

3 GEORGE REME – Sole success came in a maiden on his second start at Newcastle last year. He’s been comfortably held on his last couple of starts on the turf and he’s tried in first-time blinkers today off a 1lb lower mark. He still looks to have it all to do off this mark and the headgear will have to inspire improvement to see him come out on top. The yard are going well at present with a 16% strike rate in the past fortnight.

4 MUDALLEL – Was narrowly beaten last time out over seven furlongs here when well supported (4/1 favourite). He’s turned out quickly today having raced just last week but that shouldn’t be a problem and he should go well in what looks to be a slightly weaker race than last time out. The gelding operation may have straightened him out and a mark of 70 looks fair. Respected.

5 DANGEROUS ENDS – Won a C&D handicap last time out when sent off the well supported 13/8 favourite. He’s been raised 6lbs for that success and he steps up in grade today, however this three time C&D winner should go well again. Stall 5 is fine and the first-time cheekpieces could inspire some improvement to see him hit the frame again against some slightly out-of-form rivals. The yard have a 12% strike rate here.

6 PRECIOUS ANGEL – Makes her handicap debut today following her third run in a maiden back in May. She’s been off the track for three months – a slight concern – but she could be well handicapped on the back of her last start and she should be suited by the switch to the All Weather. However, the step down in trip is a slight concern given her pedigree is packed full of stamina and she may be unsuited by a slowly run race.

7 MARILYN – The handicapper looks to have misjudged Chris Wall’s filly following her maiden success in a Class 6 event at Yarmouth last year. She’s been comfortably beaten in three handicaps this season and she drops in grade and switches to the All Weather for the first time today. The yard’s form has picked up greatly recently (29% strike rate in the past fortnight) so she could be of interest off a 4lb lower mark. Respected.

8 SCOONES – Another handicap debutant today following a recent run at Chelmsford. He may have just needed that following a gelding operation and a mark of 65 looks conservative at this point. It was a relatively decent maiden he found himself in last time out and he should improve plenty again for the run off this mark. The yard do well here and he could have been let in lightly.

9 IFTITAH – Has lost his way a bit this season since a gelding operation, finishing well beaten in two Class 5 handicaps. There were more positive signs last time out at Lingfield when dropped in grade, finishing fifth of 16 and connections try him in first-time blinkers today in addition to the tongue tie. The yard’s without a winner from 21 runners and others are preferred.

10 MACH ONE – Makes his first start for Archie Watson today and his first since a gelding operation. He was well beaten last time out on his first run of the season at Nottingham when there was money around for him and he doesn’t appear to be the most straightforward of sorts. He’s been dropped 2lbs for that run and the market should be the best guide to his chances in this. A mark of 63 shouldn’t be far away and the yard is in outstanding form, with five winners from their last 14 runners.

11 ETERNAL DREAM – Steps back up in trip today following a last of ten, 30 length defeat at Sandown last time out. He’s better than he showed that day and he should be suited by the switch to the All Weather today. He’s by Dream Ahead so he shouldn’t be short of a yard of pace and Martin Lane takes over in the saddle which is positive for this stable. There looks to be more to come from him and he’s worth keeping onside.

12 THREE’S A CROWD – Makes his handicap debut today following some moderate efforts in maiden races. He was gelded before his latest run and he ran with a fair amount of promise, finishing eighth of a ten-strong field. Far more is needed today off a mark of 57 and stall 12 makes life more difficult for Silvestre De Sousa early on. However, he is a positive booking and the yard have a 19% strike rate in the past fortnight, so it may be too early to discount him.