15:10 Kempton

Saturday 15 April 2017

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:5017:25

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Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 1m 11.20s

(10)

Solar Flair¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Knight| OR: 100

4/1

Finished second by a nose in a similar contest over C&D last time out; being up 2lb for that he looks to have leading claims. He does need to overcome the widest draw of all, however.

Form: 03-0021

(9)

Go Far^v¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Joshua Bryan⁽⁷⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 98

33/1

Won a small-field contest at Wolverhampton two starts ago but has generally struggled in larger field contests lately. Apprentice jockey claims a useful 7lb but he still seems to have it all to do from a wide draw.

Form: 00-4109

(5)

Eltezam^h1³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: L Dettori| T: R Hannon| OR: 97

7/2

Group-placed as a juvenile and was more than entitled to need the run when finishing tenth in a Listed contest at Wolverhampton last time in what was his first run for 611 days. He failed to settle over 7f that day and it stepped back down in trip with a hood applied for the first time and a top jockey in the saddle. Big player.

Form: 134/059

(8)

Basil Berry^b¹²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 94

14/1

C&D winner who returns to the track after a break. Looked handicapped to his best towards the end of last year but does have a proven track record on this surface and the assistance of a top jockey in the saddle.

Form: 41440-6

(3)

Stellarta¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Blanshard| OR: 92

10/1

Has been running some fair races at this level recently, including when beaten by only a length at this course last time. Also ran well enough in a Listed race at Newmarket the time before and she is entitled to go well here.

Form: 7249-32

(1)

Captain Dion^v¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 90

6/1

Has been racing frequently over the past couple of months, including when beaten only 4¾ lengths by 1000 Guineas entrant Dubai One at Wolverhampton last time. Looks on a fair mark and has the benefit of the inside draw.

Form: 062101

(4)

Pearl Spectre¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Josephine Gordon| T: P S McEntee| OR: 90

20/1

Has done most of his winning over further than this but also has form over sprint distances. Also won his only previous start on this surface, though he does have to overcome what looks to be a high mark. Also declared for yesterday's 3.10 Lingfield.

Form: 314367

(7)

Eljaddaaf^h⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: R Winston| T: D K Ivory| OR: 90

11/2

3/3 over this C&D including when romping to victory two starts ago, but he has gone up 13lb since then. Only beaten by 2¾L at Wolverhampton last time though, so he can't be discounted.

Form: 46-1380

(2)

Fast Track¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: G Lee| T: T D Barron| OR: 89

13/2

Has been running consistently well recently, including when finishing ahead of Captain Dion in a good looking race at Wolverhampton last time out. Raised only 1lb for that which looks lenient, and he should go well here.

Form: 143333

(6)

Dutch Golden Age¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: H Crouch⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 89

9/1

Three time C&D winner who also ran well here last time out when beaten only 2¾ lengths in a similar looking contest. Dropped a pound with his jockey today taking off 3lb further, and do he could put in an improved effort here.

Form: 6124-17

Forecasts

Eltezam (7/2), Solar Flair (4/1), Eljaddaaf (11/2), Captain Dion (6/1), Fast Track (13/2), Dutch Golden Age (9/1), Stellarta (10/1), Basil Berry (14/1), Pearl Spectre (20/1), Go Far (33/1)

This is a high quality event for an all-weather handicap, and there are a number of fascinating contenders. Chief among them is ELTEZAM, who had some fantastic form at the highest levels as a juvenile before injury forced him to miss his entire Classic season. He didn't run very well on return at Wolverhampton last time out, but he probably found the 7f stretched his stamina, not to mention the fact he was more than entitled to need the run. If able to sit off what should be a strong pace and finding himself fitter than that comeback, he could easily return to form here with Frankie Dettori a great choice of jockey for the job. C&D specialist Eljaddaaf and the consistent Fast Track are others to consider.