2.40pm Kempton Tips & Betting Preview 10/02/2017

The third race of the day at Kempton is an intriguing novice’s hurdle over the two mile, five furlong trip. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This can go to THOMAS SHELBY, who has run two good races the last twice at Towcester and is more than capable of winning a race of this nature. Alan King’s yard is in good form at present and it’s still early days for this six year old by Witness Box who should be able to improve sufficiently from those two runs to gain a well deserved victory with conditions to suit. He’ll face stern challenges from both Captain Buck’s and Post War though, who both bring strong form into the race.

1 POST WAR – Showed promise in bumpers and came good when upped in trip for hurdling debut, running out a comfortable winner at Doncaster in December (2m 4f, Good). He jumped and travelled well that day and going up slightly in trip is likely to bring out further improvement. He should also have natural improvement in him as that was his hurdling debut and should come on from it and looks one of the main contenders today for Nicky Henderson with Nico De Boinville taking the ride.

2 BELMONT PARK – Showed little in bumpers for David Bridgewater and didn’t improve much on hurdling debut when a well beaten tenth at Chepstow in October (2m 3f, Good to Soft). He did however travel well for a reasonable part of the race and going up in trip should suit judging by his pedigree. Definite each way claims with Tom Scudamore taking the ride and shouldn’t be underestimated as he’s been better than the bare form suggests.

3 CAPTAIN BUCK’S – Bumper winner on debut for Paul Nicholls (2m, Heavy) and was by no means disgraced when finishing second to Bags Groove on hurdling debut at Taunton in January (2m 3f, Good). That was a good introduction to hurdling and he’s likely to improve markedly from that experience, with Sam Twiston-Davies keeping the ride. Can’t be dismissed and likely to run another good race with conditions to suit and has to be respected.

4 CLASSIC TUNE – Showed moderate ability on one occasion in bumpers but didn’t particularly impress on hurdling debut at Huntingdon in April, well beaten and making numerous mistakes (2m 4f, Good to Soft). On that evidence it’s hard to build a case for him with others achieving much more in bumpers and over hurdles thus far. Obviously he remains with scope for progress but others are much more interesting and best left alone today.

5 LIKE THE SOUND – Modest on the flat and didn’t show a great deal in two maiden hurdles, though he did win in a hands and heels race at Uttoxeter in December when last seen (2m 3f, Heavy). That however was in a much weaker race than this and he’ll need to step up considerably if he’s to feature today. Escapes a penalty for that last run but others are much more likely, especially as he’d prefer much softer ground. Hard to fancy.

6 MILZIPA – Not unfancied when finishing a beaten fifth at Plumpton in November on bumper debut (2m 1f, Good). He did however race very wide that day and wasn’t hard pushed, so he’s likely much better than what he’s shown in that run. His pedigree suggests that a further trip will suit him well and is a very interesting runner for Nicky Henderson, though the appearance of Daryl Jacob on him rather than Nico De Boinville would suggest he’s stable second string. Possibly the most intriguing runner and shouldn’t be dismissed, with checking the market likely to be crucial on hurdling debut.

7 SAVOY COURT – Bumper winner ahead of some useful types (including Tommy Rapper and Eamon An Cnoic) at Ffos Las back in March 2016 Interesting on that form but made numerous mistakes and was outpaced a long way from home at Fontwell on hurdling debut in November (2m 3f, Soft). He’s surely capable of much better but hard to back on the face of that opening hurdles run, and possibly best watched for now.

8 THOMAS SHELBY – Showed good promise when a running on second at Towcester in November on hurdling debut (2m 4f, Good to Soft) and perhaps the race didn’t pan out to suit when unable to get involved over the same C&D on his latest start in December; with it being key to note he was well backed on that occasion. He’s been given a small break before this assignment and remains with potential after only two starts over hurdles. Alan King’s yard is continuing to bang in the winners and this six year old looks to be another who can add to the growing tally with Tom Cannon taking the ride.

9 ZAMPARELLI – Point to point winner back in October who didn’t impress on hurdling debut at Kempton in January, finishing a well beaten in sixth (3m, Good to Soft). Drops down in class but doesn’t make much appeal, and is likely one for the handicaps later down the line when upped in trip for the Skeltons.