19:10 Kempton
Wednesday 29 November 2017
All16:1016:4017:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:40
Nicola Shepherd-Banks Handicap
- 3YO plus  |  Class 6  |  1m 3f 219y  |  Standard  |  11 Runners  |  Polytrack  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 19:15Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 2m 32.86s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Easy winner here around this time last year, and although recent efforts less encouraging, takes a drop in grade here and those factors together could spark a return to form. Looks one of the more likely players.
Has been plying his trade over hurdles recently, not beaten far at Uttoxeter on latest start but hardly looks thrown in on current AW mark. This trip an unknown too (possibly best at shorter) so on balance, others preferred.
Steady improvement for much of the year, winning one at Wolverhampton in July, so this surface no issue, but that was over a mile and this trip a total unknown (has looked a non-stayer in the past). Others make more appeal on that.
Grand sort that tries hard, but has spurned a couple of good opportunities this year and has looked a little one-paced at times. Chances if he gets the good gallop he needs to come off, but that looks unlikely.
Poor strike rate overall (just 5-46) and recent form suggests he's rather on the downgrade Handicapper dropping him chunks now but he shows no signs of being able to take advantage of it.
Worth a try at this trip after his staying-on seventh at Chelmsford a fortnight ago (over 10f) and at least may have a bit more to offer, this being only his eighth start. One of the more likely ones, with this drop in grade a plus too.
Only having fifth start today, and almost broke his duck over C&D last time out, going down by a nose in a head-bobbing finish. Up 4lb for that but clearly in form, conditions fine, and should be on anyone's shortlist.
Has done better on his last couple of starts since being returned to the sand, finishing close up at Lingfield over this trip last time out. Has fallen far enough in the weights to be considered here, and yard had a recent winner too.
Has plenty of form in this grade at the track, so has that going for him, but not seen out for a year until reappearing here in October. Easily beaten then, and current well being must come into question. Makes little appeal.
Sent off big prices recently, and not showing anything like enough to be considered here. This step up in trip another big question too, and he makes very little appeal.
Still a maiden after 14 starts, has some form to show over C&D but it's not strong form by any means, and he was easily brushed aside at Lingfield when last seen. Needs improvement from somewhere and hard to see where it's coming from.
Has found some form recently, winning at Wolverhampton and then a good second last time out, but seemed not to get this trip when tried at it at Lingfield earlier in the year. Drawn out wide as well, which may not help, so others preferred today.
Easy winner over C&D in October (holds Malt Teaser on that form) but could back it up when made odds-on a week later. That run a little better than it looks though, as race not run to suit, so every chance of bouncing back here.
Didn't run at all badly for a 40/1 shot when not beaten far here three weeks ago, but that was over a mile and this big hike up in trip is an unknown. May progress, but possibly when dropped back to shorter.
Forecasts
Sky Eagle (9/2), Power Home (5/1), Katabatika (11/2), The Gay Cavalier (6/1), Malt Teaser (8/1), Cat Royale (8/1), Art Of Swing (10/1), Tyrsal (16/1), Runaiocht (16/1), Never A Word (16/1), Tis Wonderful (25/1), Gracesome (25/1), Udogo (25/1), Beau Knight (25/1)
KATABATIKA wasn't suited by the way things unfolded last time out but still ran well, and she still looks well in front of her mark. She can show how unlucky she was last time by making amends here. The Gay Cavalier is simply on too good a mark to be left out of the three and looks the one for the each-way players. Sky Eagle continues to progress and looks a danger as well. At a bigger price, Never A Word can be given a second look.
- Katabatika
- The Gay Cavalier
- Sky Eagle
Prize Money
1st: £2,588.002nd: £770.003rd: £385.004th: £192.00
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