12:55 Kempton
Saturday 14 January 2017
All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:45
32Red On The App Store Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 4f 110y | Good to Soft (Soft in places) | 7 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 12:55 | Winning time: 5m 13.5s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Has shown a clear liking for this track, and is unbeaten here in two starts over fences. However, both of those successes were over 2m and under Paddy Brennan from lower marks (120 & 129). Possibly slow to come to hand so far this year (season finished late/began early at Kelso in May) and yet to fully convince he's quite as effective at this trip despite PTP success (3m) and maiden hurdle success (2m4f).
Three time winner at this track (NHF, hurdles and over fences), including a C&D success off 126 in February (made all, jumping noticeably left throughout). Remains 6lb higher but has returned this season in good form, a runner up on both starts to date. Current Good to Soft, Soft in places going is ideal.
Absent since March 2015 when always to the fore and keeping on well from three out to record a four length C&D chase success. Had been largely progressive during that campaign, but absence to overcome on only 11th career start.
Handicap hurdle winner at Southwell in October 2016 off a mark off 100, and has continued to thrive since, making a seamless switch to fences. Built upon a narrow Ffos Las defeat on debut over the larger obstacles (this trip) by making all to score on soft ground at Uttoxeter last month. That form looks solid with both the runner up and third running well since, and despite up 8lbs to a career high of 125 is a live contender.
Off the mark at the fourth attempt over fences over the minimum trip for Ryan Hatch at Worcester in October (Good). However, a beaten favourite on both subsequent starts in better races, and whilst staying on last time at Haydock in the manner of a horse that needs further, he's yet to prove this definitively during his 14 race career to date.
Just the one success over fences so far, coming for Paul Nicholls in a small field beginners chase at Fontwell in August 2015. Three starts for Chris Gordon this season have resulted in two placed efforts over fences (at Fontwell and Ascot) before a return to hurdles here last time behind the progressive Lanzarote Hurdle contender Doesyourdogbite.
Won from this mark here over three miles in March 2016, and third off a 9lbs higher mark just a month later. However, has been largely disappointing since and notably well below par the last twice. However, the handicapper has taken a clear chance dropping him to this mark and no surprise to see him bounce back at a track on which he thrives.
Forecasts
Return Flight (9/4), Ericht (7/2), Foxtail Hill (9/2), Always On The Run (11/2), Rothman (7/1), Cloudy Bob (8/1), Rhapando (16/1)
Plenty of Kempton Park regulars here including the well handicapped but badly out of form Cloudy Bob. Always on the Run would be a real force to be reckoned with here over two miles despite his rising mark, whilst Ericht promises to relish the prevailing ground conditions. This looks an easier option for Foxtail Hill than each of his last two races and it's feasible that he'll be suited by this trip. However, the vote goes to RETURN FLIGHT, who has thrived from a lowly starting point for Dan Skelton and has done nothing wrong whatsoever on both starts over fences, and could be underestimated by the others on account of his rapid rise up the weights since scoring off a mark of 100 over hurdles at Southwell in October.
1. Return Flight
2. Foxtail Hill
3. Ericht
Prize Money
1st: £6,256.002nd: £1,848.003rd: £924.004th: £462.005th: £231.006th: £116.00
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