20:20 Kempton

Friday 8 September 2017

All17:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:2020:5021:20

32Red Handicap

Off time: 20:25 | Winning time: 2m 18.48s

(11)

Manjaam²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 92

25/1

Progressed well last year, winning four times ( including twice on the AW) but the handicapper appears to have reeled him in. Again looks there to be shot at after a gelding operation and cheekpieces failed to spark an improvement at Ascot latest.

Form: 10-2808

(10)

Sam Missile²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: T J Murphy| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 92| C

14/1

Both his wins came on this track over 1m and 1m4f and he opened up this year with a good second over 1m2f at Doncaster. Less impressive over further since but worth a look back over 1m2f considering yard won this 12 months ago.

Form: 4-24560

(4)

Mountain Hunter¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: William Carson| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 96

6/4

Comes from a good family and has done everything asked of him so far, winning at Newmarket first time out before readily overcoming a mark of 87 on his handicap bow over 1m1f at Goodwood. Sure to improve further and a 9lb rise may not stop him.

Form: 11

(12)

Kasperenko^b²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: T P Queally| T: D R Lanigan| OR: 95

11/1

Much-improved since being gelded, winning races at Chelmsford and Doncaster and finishing second twice. For all that, the handicapper has had his say and he found it tough going from a revised mark over 1m4f at Ascot last time.

Form: 3-21216

(13)

Castlelyons⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: L P Keniry| T: R Stephens| OR: 87

20/1

Won a Cork maiden on his debut in 2015 before moving on to this yard where he has endured an interrupted career. Excellent effort when a close-up fourth on return from a long absence over 1m3f here in June but struggled next time. Awkward draw.

Form: 1645/48

(7)

Beardwood^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Fran Berry| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 86

33/1

Won three times during the second-half of last season but has found life tougher off higher marks this season, though has gone close on occasions. Tough task at York latest but has now slipped to a feasible mark and is dangerous to discount.

Form: 344250

(6)

Breden^h²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Robert Tart| T: Mrs L C Jewell| OR: 86| C

50/1

Won three times for John Gosden earlier in his career but has endured a couple of lengthy absences. Shaped well on his debut for this yard at Windsor in May but below that form twice since over this trip. More needed.

Form: 512/246

(8)

Arab Moon³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: W J Knight| OR: 90| CD

7/2

Having looked backward as a juvenile, he has proved a total revelation on the AW this season, making it four wins from six starts with a facile victory over 1m4f here last month. Obvious contender despite another punishing 10lb rise.

Form: 115131

(1)

Banish^t,v³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 83| CD

14/1

Better on the AW than turf and produced his best performance when winning over C&D a year ago from a 2lb higher mark. Would have obvious claims on that form, though a shade disappointing over an extra furlong here last time.

Form: 07-5564

(9)

Al Hamdany³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Dane O'Neill| T: M Botti| OR: 89| C

33/1

Smart juvenile form, winning twice and going close in a Listed event at Pontefract, but appears to have lost his way somewhat. Ran poorly on his first start since being gelded at Doncaster last month and others more convincing right now.

Form: 12-6507

(3)

Western Duke³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R M Beckett| OR: 87| BF

25/1

A winner over 7f at Doncaster as a juvenile but has found life tougher since stepping into handicap company, including when strongly-fancied for a weak event at Windsor last time (finished last of four). Questions to answer on AW debut.

Form: 12-7834

(5)

Bush House^b¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: H Palmer| OR: 86| CD

11/2

Two victories and a place have all come on the all-weather (Polytrack and Tapeta) so it's best not to read too much into a poor latest run at York (didn't stay 1m6f). Had previously won over C&D from 7lb lower, so rates a contender.

Form: 214810

(2)

Azam³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 86| C

25/1

An easy winner over 1m2f here for John Gosden last autumn and, though he has struggled to kick on, he shaped encouragingly on his debut for this yard at Pontefract last month. In good hands, and very much respected returned to the AW.

Form: 41-6953

Forecasts

Mountain Hunter (6/4), Arab Moon (7/2), Bush House (11/2), Kasperenko (11/1), Banish (14/1), Sam Missile (14/1), Castlelyons (20/1), Western Duke (25/1), Manjaam (25/1), Azam (25/1), Al Hamdany (33/1), Beardwood (33/1), Breden (50/1)

Mountain Hunter - who hasn't put a foot wrong in two starts - and the highly-progressive Arab Moon are bound to have their supporters here but both have hefty weight rises to contend with, so there may be value lurking elsewhere with BUSH HOUSE and Azam each having plenty to recommend them. Preference is for the former who won well over C&D before facing a much tougher assignment over a stamina-stretching 1m6f on turf last time.