All-weather expert Jamie Maynard previews the pick of the action at Kempton where he expects Marco Botti to be among the winners..
Jamie's best bets:
5.55 100% Profit Boost At http://32RedSport.com Apprentice Handicap:
Montague makes the long journey down from North Yorkshire for the David O’Meara team and was a two-length second on his first start since joining them from Jamie Osborne over seven-furlongs but his strike-rate over this shorter trip isn’t the best and his yard are not firing at present.
Cloud Eight is one of two runners to represent Marco Botti and has been raised only a pound for a close defeat on handicap debut and is open to more improvement but it’s his stablemate FLORA TRISTAN who I think will prevail.
This chestnut filly has posted two solid second placed efforts recently where she’s just failed to see out the seven-furlong trip. She’s now taking a drop in trip on her handicap debut and with Gabriele Malune (20% strike-rate in past 14 days) well worth a 6lb claim, I can see her making it a winning one.
8.00 32Red Handicap:
Although lacking in numbers this looks an open little handicap over the mile trip. Titan Goddess was well held when last seen but that may have been one race too many after winning three in four starts at the distance. He’s 15lb higher than for that first of those victories and although he’ll be fresher here this looks a slightly tougher race.
Believe It has a phenomenal record at this track having won five from eight outings and this looks an easier task than recent races so could outrun his odds and Shadow Warrior has been running well since the switch to handicaps.
The one I’m quite sweet on though is the last time out scorer ARSENIO LUPIN. This four-year old was impressive over track and trip just under a fortnight ago when powering clear with the rest of the field playing catch up and he was probably worth more than the one-and-three-quarter-length distance suggested.
He’s gone up 6lb but is still relatively unexposed on the synthetics in handicaps and he’s partnered again by young apprentice Harry Burns who claims 7lb and has been in hot form with three wins from his last five rides. Denis Quinn’s charge looks set to secure a course and distance double despite taking a slight step up in class.
Jamie Maynard's recommended bets
1pt win Flora Tristan 5.55 Kempton at 5/1
2pts win Arsenio Lupin 8.00 Kempton at 15/8
