Our star daily duo of Rory Delargy and David Massey take a look at today's surviving action on the all-weather.
Racing betting tips: Wednesday January 28
1pt win Griselda in 17:30 Kempton at 11/1 (General) – min 9/1
1pt win Exposay in 20:00 Kempton at 3/1 (General) – min 11/4
17:30 Kempton
It’s not easy to make a case for GRISELDA on the form she’s shown in the last year, but she is typical of a lot of physically-forward juvenile winners who find themselves badly handicapped at three as others improve past them physically, and she was effectively handicapped out of things for all of last year. As a result, she’s struggled to make an impact but has now dropped to a lenient mark and is taken to bounce back to form having run herself into fitness in a couple of recent runs for Henrietta Knight.
A winner of three nurseries on the bounce in the summer of 2024, Griselda rose from a mark of 60 to 83 in just a few weeks. She ran the race of her life when beaten just over a neck in a Class 2 nursery at Doncaster that season, but found life very hard as a three-year-old where she was forced to concede weight to less exposed rivals in handicaps. That’s a familiar tale for horses in her mould and many go winless at three before being revived the following season.
Griselda has gone from running off 84 in March to a mark of 55 after nine defeats, but it’s not all doom and gloom, and although last of eight at Lingfield last time, she was beaten less than four lengths and was keeping on again at the finish.
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus Benefits
That was her second start since wind surgery and although she went through the race as if short on confidence, the way she began to pick up again very late was encouraging and she still has a chance to get the benefit of her breathing operation.
This is the weakest race she’s contested since going handicapping and she only has half a length to find on the well-fancied Pinjarra, who was fifth in that blanket finish at Lingfield. She’s also 2lb better off today and although she won’t appeal to many due to her profile, I think she is capable of ending her losing run with Serena Brotherton a good booking for a race of this nature.
20:00 Kempton
EXPOSAY had become disappointing until fitted with eyeshields here last time, and the headgear seemed a catalyst for improvement as she raced with enthusiasm and kept on well to be a close third of 11 to I'm Workin On It over C&D last time.
It’s always slightly dangerous to assume that a) headgear is the sole reason for a better run, and b) that the effect will be the same another day, but there is little doubt that some horses respond better to specific headgear and I’m willing to take a chance that Exposay will remain in form kept to this track and trip.
The daughter of Sergei Profofiev is on the same mark, having been assessed 12lb higher after her maiden win, and has the assistance of the teenage riding sensation Harry Vigors, who can claim another 7lb.
Preview posted at 10:00 GMT on 28/01/26
Want to know more about horse welfare within our sport?
2025 successes
- Java Point 33/1
- Jacques Clouseau 8/1
- Gogo Yubari 7/2
- Ali Star Bert 100/30
- Rossbridge 9/2
- Kala Conti 5/2
- Found A Fifty 100/30
- Hold Up La Colmine 9/2
- Ben Solo 9/2
- Eldorado Allen 17/2
- French Emperor 15/2
- Lud'or 9/2
- Iddy Wood 9/2
- Jager Time 11/2
- Susie Sioux 3/1
- Smooth Silesie 13/2
- Sticktotheplan 6/1
- Daryz 11/1
- Expressionless 9/1
- Blue Jay Way 11/1
- Revival Power 13/2
- Yanifer 10/1
- Saddadd 5/2
- Dark Cloud Rising 11/2
- Forglen 13/2
- Brazilian Belle 11/4
- Red Panda 17/2
- Bearwith 7/2
- Nogo’s Dream 2/1
- Alpha Magic 20/1
- Minnie Hauk 5/1
- Gore Point 17/2
- Molten Sea 6/1
- Pay Attention 5/1
- Laser Focus 13/2
- Phaedra 2/1
- Eldrickjones 8/1
- Straight F/C Cosmic Year/Marvelman 28/1
- Pink Eyed Pancho 12/1
- Pep Talking 7/2
- Ultra Beat 7/2
- Les's Legacy 13/2
- Coniston George 9/2
- Fairlawn Flyer 12/1
- Finn Lough 9/2
- Magma Sam 9/1
- Hawajes 9/2
- Trouble Man 3/1
- Royal Jewel 11/4
- Mr Vango 5/1
- Jack Sprat 11/4
- Ormolulu 100/30
- Khangai 9/2
- Jimmy Knocker 6/1
More from Sporting Life
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.