4.40pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 20/12/2016

Only twelve go to post for this competitive 0-65 Class nursery handicap in which the winner will pick up £2,264 in prize money. Read on for our expert’s thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Gracious Tom will be popular going for the hat-trick and he should give it a good go from the front again. He faces stiff opposition in Debonair David who is 6lb better off and was a very good second last time out at Wolverhampton. A chance however is taken on LORD COOPER. He was also a good runner up last time out, staying on well at the business end of the race and receiving weight from both of his rivals, he is lurking on a dangerous mark for this race and he can prove too strong from a good draw in Stall 2.

1 Gracious Tom – Has been in grand form recently picking up a seller and then a nursery handicap both at Class 6 level on his last two starts. Produced a career best to win by two lengths at Southwell last time and no reason to think he won’t make a bold bid for the hat-trick from only a 3lb higher mark. Solid chance.

2 Texas Katie – Been a busy year in her maiden year with one win from sixteen runs. Won at Wolverhampton over 7f in August but has performed much better on turf overall. Finished mid-division on last three AW starts and first start at Kempton today. Wears a hood and blinkers for this although they have had a positive effect in previous runs but has a bit to find on recent AW form with some of these.

3 Sliceoflife – Only five runs so far for the yard with the best of those coming at Newcastle on third career start in October. Struggled in handicaps the last two, including when last at Lingfield twenty days ago in a Class 5 handicap over 7f and looks up against it in this with connections also reaching cheekpieces for the first time.

4 Dream Reversion – Oasis Dream gelding who has had four starts so far. Good third in a maiden at Redcar (Good/Soft) on his second start but flopped next time out at Chelmsford. Dropped down to 5f on last start in a Class 4 at Lingfield and he wasn’t disgraced when a close up sixth of 10. Yard remain in good form and step back up to 6f for his nursery debut should suit but drawn in Stall 7 and that may just hinder him today with plenty of pace in the race.

5 Debonaire David – Remains a maiden after four runs but produced a career-best to finish runner-up to Dazacam (landed hat-trick at Chelmsford yesterday) at Wolverhampton twenty five days ago, seeing out the race well. Wore a tongue strap for that race and it stays on today. He should go well again on his polytrack debut from a mark of 63.

6 Snuggy – Sole career win came at Leicester (Good/Firm) in August and has shown some aptitude for the AW in his last two runs. Fair fourth of 11 in a similar race at Newcastle behind Dazacam eleven days ago but needs a bit more back up to 6f here to get involved against some in form rivals.

7 Fair Selene – Good third at this track two starts ago when a close third behind Dragon Dream in October over 7f and disappointing on last start at Chelmsford last month when only ninth of 10 in a similar race. Drops in trip for this and better draw to contend with but not much in recent form to suggest she can play a part here.

8 Zaatar – Only four starts so far this year and finished a decent third of 8 behind Drop Kick Murphy (won twice since) at Bath (Good) over 5f on his last start. Makes his polytrack debut today and looks pitched in for his handicap debut. Best watched for now.

9 Chough – Three runs so far for the yard, including twice over this course up to 6f. Finished in seventh of 12 last time out in a Class 5 maiden fillies stakes, coming off the pace to suggesting a more positive ride here could be more effective. On a workable mark and one to watch in the betting but held by a few of these on recent form for win purposes.

10 Lord Cooper – Sir Percy gelding who remains a maiden after six runs but produced a career best to finish runner up to the well backed favourite Odelouca on his final start last month. The penny looks to have clicked with the application of cheekpieces and a tongue strap and they stay on here with his pedigree suggesting there should be much more to come. Dangerous to discount from a mark of 60 after that run and has a good draw in Stall 2 to work with. Big player.

11 Hollywood Style – Only three runs so far but well behind in sixth behind Gracious Tom on last start at Lingfield fifteen days ago and that was his best run to date. Makes his handicap debut and much more improvement needed in this and looks held by that progressive rival once again.

12 Miriam Violet – On a mark of 45 after three races and finished last of 10 in a Class 5 maiden fillies stakes at Salisbury (Good/Soft) in October. Handicap debut today after a break of 71 days and looks up against it on form shown in those runs so far.