9.10pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 16/08/2017

A field of 14 go to post in this Class 6 handicap raced over 1m 4f. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: There are a couple that could be well treated in this and FEEL THE VIBES is certainly one of them. He’s been dropped 3lbs for a good effort last time out when beaten 2 3/4 lengths and the step up in trip and application of first-time cheekpieces can see him take advantage of this mark. Never Folding is worth close market attention having shown enough ability to win a race of this nature.

1 KARAM ALBAARI – 5lbs below his last winning mark which came over 1m 4f at Lingfield earlier this year. He’s dropped through the weights since then and switches to the All Weather in Class 6 company today. The booking of Jamie Spencer catches the eye and stall 2 should allow him to get a good position early on. He should run well today off of top weight.

2 TUOLUMNE MEADOWS – Ten race maiden makes her first start for Tony Newcombe today. She finished second of eight in a Class 6 Seller at Lingfield last time out which isn’t the worst bit of form, but it’s below the standard needed here. She’s been dropped another 5lbs in the weights and the market should guide best. The booking of James Doyle does look particularly positive though.

3 HOWARDIAN HILLS – Won a Wolverhampton Claimer in first-time cheekpieces last time out, beating Frozon by a length at 33/1. That obviously came as a surprise and he’s been raised a rather harsh 5lbs for that success. Others make a bit more appeal at the weights today for a yard that are without a winner from ten runners here.

4 POWERED – David Evans’s filly usually runs her heart out, but she’s won just once from 32 career starts and she may not provide much value off a high enough mark of 57 today. She was beaten just a length off this rating last time out, but she often goes close off similar ratings and she is far more exposed than a few of her rivals. She does get the assistance of the useful 5lb claimer David Egan though which should help.

5 CALLAGHAN – 14 race maiden who has been dropped 3lbs for a 23 length defeat at Nottingham last time out. It looks harsh from the handicapper not to drop him more than that given his form and he clearly isn’t the same horse as he suggested he might be as a two-year-old. He has gone well here before, which is positive, but he’s hard to recommend on these terms.

6 RIANNA STAR – Has been dropped a pound for a 12 1/2 length defeat in a Class 6 event at Brighton last time out. She’s been given a little bit of time since then and a much better showing is expected now stepped up to 1m 4f. Hector Crouch remains in the saddle and there could be more to come from her on her second start off a break. Market support would be significant. The yard have sent out six winners from their last 18 runners.

7 WHIPCRACKAWAY – Seeks his first win since December 2012 which came over hurdles on Soft ground. He missed the 2014 and 2016 seasons, presumably through injury, and he’s produced mixed form so far this season. His placed effort at Chepstow last month would entitle him to get close today off a 3lb lower mark, but he hasn’t followed up that effort and is best watched here.

8 FEEL THE VIBES – Well treated on today’s terms with a three-year-old allowance and he’s raced in first-time cheekpieces following promising efforts on his last two starts. He was only beaten 2 3/4 lengths over a mile at Kempton last month and he’s 3lbs lower today stepped right up in trip. He could progress past a few of these and is worth close attention in the betting. One to keep onside.

9 STORMING HARRY – Makes just his tenth start now aged five having missed nearly two years through injury. His only success came in a Class 6 Lingfield handicap, but he’s shown a fraction of that form since returning to action and he’s 2lbs lower today. He’s dropped in trip which isn’t likely to suit on what he’s shown so far and he can only be watched here. Liam Keniry replaces Rob Hornby who rides Feel The Vibes.

10 ZAMADANCE – Sole success came over a mile at Kempton back in August last year and he’s not progressed since then. He was only beaten a length off a 2lb higher mark at Brighton in June which would give him some hope today. Silvestre De Sousa remains in the saddle which has to be taken as a positive again. The blinkers are left off today having had no impact last time out.

11 NEVER FOLDING – Seamus Durrack’s filly has shown plenty of potential in six career starts, but she’s yet to put all her best work together. She showed improvement at Lingfield last time out when beaten 4 1/2 lengths, finishing fourth of ten and she’s been dropped 1lb for that effort. Robert Winston keeps the partnership intact and she’s one to keep onside off what could be a fair mark now stepped up in trip with a three-year-old allowance.

12 WOLFCATCHERJACK – First time in a handicap today following a 62 day break having been beaten a long way in three maidens. He steps up four furlongs in trip today which should suit based on breeding and these are just the type of horses the yard does well with. Luke Morris gets on board for the first time and stall 5 is a kind draw. Deserves plenty of respect with a three-year-old allowance to help her and she commands close market attention.

13 XYLOPHONE – Archie Watson’s filly also makes her handicap debut today in first-time cheekpieces and a tongue-tie. She showed promise in a Class 4 maiden at Chelmsford over 1m 2f back in June and the step up to 1m 4f should suit her down to the ground. Her three-year-old allowance gives her something to work with against her rivals and she could show dramatic improvement today for a yard in flying form (36% strike rate in the past fortnight).

14 LADY OF YORK – Alan Bailey’s filly has shown much improved form of late with a victory and a fourth placed effort in a competitive handicap at Beverley last month. A mark of 50 looks fair at this stage and she will need to improve to get the better of a few well weighted rivals in this. Nevertheless, she’s going the right way and is well treated with her elders on these terms.