16:20 Kempton

Monday 6 November 2017

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:20

32Red Casino Handicap

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 1m 24.78s

(10)

Glorious Politics²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 80

20/1

Lightly-raced maiden winner over 6f on AW at Newcastle in January, held there on handicap bow in March and went out like a light on sole start since at York (7f, good) 24 days ago. Hard to make a case for at the moment.

Form: 62-160

(7)

Gold Hunter^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Patrick Pilley⁽³⁾| T: S Flook| OR: 79| D

14/1

Mostly consistent this season on turf/AW, including September win over this trip at Chelmsford off mark of 76. Dropped out very quickly back there last month and must put that sloppy performance behind him.

Form: 234310

(4)

Athassel³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Katherine Begley⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 79| CD

14/1

AW specialist, winning 8-30 in career so far without every getting head in front on turf. Winner over C&D in May off a mark of 78, two efforts recently at this track and Chelmsford have been disappointing. Bit to prove at the moment.

Form: 995480

(9)

Inexes^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Barry McHugh| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 79

12/1

Couple of turf wins this year, both over 6f and both when rated 77, yet to win on an artificial surface though, and once more fended off fairly readily at Newcastle over 6f 13 days ago. 0-8 on AW and opposable on that basis.

Form: 284915

(2)

Procurator¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 79| D

13/2

Back on the winning trail last time at Brighton (7f, soft) showing willing attitude to get up in dying strides. 4lb higher now and up in class, doesn't have much room for manoeuvre off this rating on prior form.

Form: 592581

(1)

Black Caesar¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Sebastian Woods⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hide| OR: 78| D

12/1

Narrowly beaten by Procurator last time out at Brighton, scored twice at that track this year and tends to do best work there these days.

Form: 213652

(6)

Presumido²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: J F Egan| T: S Dow| OR: 76| CD

8/1

Dual course winner in 2016, including over C&D, and lower in the weights than for either of those wins after a fruitless campaign. Claims if rediscovering old form, but didn't take much interest last time here, and opposable again.

Form: 578700

(11)

Dourado²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: P R Chamings| OR: 77| D

6/1

Picked up two small races in lower grade at Epsom during the summer but not as good off this mark in a more competitive contest at Newbury afterwards. Hit the frame over C&D last month running on late, may hold similar claims at best.

Form: 5-51103

(8)

Plucky Dip⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: J Ryan| OR: 75| C| D

14/1

Winner of four of his 39 AW starts most recently over 6f at Chelmsford in May, hasn't threatened a repeat in nine outings on turf/AW since and was poor in C&D appearance in September.

Form: 794578

(3)

Portledge²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Ted Durcan| T: J D Bethell| OR: 75| D

13/2

Knuckled down well to land a gamble at Newcastle over 7f in September, goes up in class now and has a 4lb hike to contend with. Stiffer task but just a sixth AW run and could find a bit more after that confidence booster.

Form: 373491

(5)

Glenn Coco⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: L Morris| T: S C Williams| OR: 68| D

10/3

Winner of Class 6 contest at Wolverhampton over 7f in September in handicap/AW bow. Did it in fairly decisive manner despite just ½L margin. Up 4lb for the win and into a better race but surely has scope to improve further and claims are fair.

Form: 3341

Forecasts

Glenn Coco (10/3), Dourado (6/1), Portledge (13/2), Procurator (13/2), Presumido (8/1), Inexes (12/1), Black Caesar (12/1), Athassel (14/1), Plucky Dip (14/1), Gold Hunter (14/1), Glorious Politics (20/1)

An open finale, with questions hovering over a fair few of these. GLENN COCO won a low-grade event at Wolverhampton on his handicap debut last time out, seemingly with more in hand than the winning margin suggested. A veteran of just four runs, he has plenty scope to do better and gets the nod on that basis in what is a more testing assignment. Portledge scored last time at Newcastle having been backed to do so and can go well again while Procurator and Black Caesar, first and second at Brighton recently, are at least known to be on good terms with themselves.