18:40 Kempton

Wednesday 8 November 2017

All16:4017:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10

32Red Casino Handicap

Off time: 18:41 | Winning time: 2m 29.60s

(7)

Elysian Fields⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 90| CD

14/1

Fully effective over C&D, but hasn't been at her best this year hence the drop in the weights. Outclassed in Listed company at Lingfield last week, but that shouldn't have done her any harm, and stronger at this track.

Form: 257480

(2)

First Flight¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: H Main| OR: 90

10/1

Yet to sample success since joining this trainer for £10,000 in January. Has shown his physical well-being (after an absence from racing) and now 5lb lower than when a 1L runner up to Kapstadt in June (1m2f good). AW debut.

Form: 276804

(5)

Rydan^p⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: H Crouch⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 87| C| D

4/1

Has a number of placed efforts to his name earlier in the year, but hasn't managed to get his head in front for 14 months. Produced a reasonable effort latest when approximately 2L fifth to St Mary's (1m6f good, Nottingham).

Form: 254735

(6)

Alqamar^b⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 91| BF| D

6/4

A beaten favourite in his last two starts, and 15lb above his last winning mark, but effective between 1m4f and 1m6f, and isn't fully exposed after just seven career starts. AW debut.

Form: 32-1925

(4)

Castlelyons^h⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R Stephens| OR: 85

11/2

Lightly raced since 2015, when he cost 170,000 gns after winning on debut at Cork in April (1m+ good to firm). Has experience of this C&D, and his form from June (fourth to Spinners Ball) gives him a chance.

Form: 645/480

(3)

Desert God^p1³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 85| D

10/1

A 12 time winner in India, but yet to make any significant impression on these shores. Fallen 12lb in the weights since July, and tries synthetics for the first time wearing first time cheek-pieces.

Form: 744935

(8)

Berrahri¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: R Havlin| T: J R Best| OR: 83| C

22/1

A four time winner in 2017 (including on snow/ice at St Moritz), but probably high enough in the weights at present. However, keeping reasonably consistent form overall, and fourth of nine to Golden Birthday over 1m6f at Doncaster in late October.

Form: 211034

(1)

Isaac Bell^t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 8-11| J: L Morris| T: A M Hales| OR: 81| CD

9/1

Dual hurdles scorer who sprung a 100/1 shock on his Flat debut over C&D last month (maiden). Difficult to evaluate the worth of that effort and this is a significant step up in grade, so surprising if he's good enough.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Alqamar (6/4), Rydan (4/1), Castlelyons (11/2), Isaac Bell (9/1), First Flight (10/1), Desert God (10/1), Elysian Fields (14/1), Berrahri (22/1)

Alqamar is the most obvious contender, hailing from the Godophin operation, he's largely unexposed after just seven career starts, and could step forward now switched to synthetics. However, there are also a few reasons which imply that he might be worth taking on if reaching particularly cramped odds. Isaac Bell was a C&D maiden winner recently, but this is much tougher, so the speculative shout goes up for the top-weighted mare ELYSIAN FIELDS. She's proved out of sorts for the majority of the season, but she seems suited by this C&D and looks the obvious each-way play in a field of eight (three places).