13:20 Kempton

Tuesday 26 December 2017

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

32red.com Chase (A Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 5m 14.1s

Hell's Kitchen^h,t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: B J Geraghty| T: H Fry| OR: 137| BF| D

9/2

Can take a hold in his races, and no surprise to see the hood given a try lately (on again here, with tongue strap). Looks nicely handicapped but there are question marks against him after Newbury unseat early this month.

Form: 312/3-2U

Reigning Supreme²⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| D

11/4

Winner of two of his three rules starts to date most recently in a novice hurdle at Newbury (2m4½f, good to soft) in March. One to note for a leading yard now he embarks on a novice chase campaign.

Form: F2/141-

Touch Kick^h,t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 128| D

15/2

Jumped to his left at times when winning Sandown novices' handicap chase (2m4f, good to soft) on second start over these obstacles. Raised 5lb for narrow success but may improve again.

Form: 2716-71

Wenyerreadyfreddie⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128| BF

11/2

Disappointing favourite at Sandown in 2m hurdles contest on reappearance, makes debut over fences now upped in journey and plenty on his plate seemingly. Second runner for Henderson team.

Form: 2/321-4

Beggar's Wishes^p,t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 125

16/1

Winner on chase debut at Sedgefield (2m½f, good) last month, though well held since at Sandown in this grade. Has stamina for this longer trip and previous winner on soft ground over timber.

Form: P117-15

Private Malone^p³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 125| D

8/1

Closing in on three years since his last win, yet to score over fences (0-8) but most recent effort at Fontwell (2m5½f, good to soft) was more like it. Yard amongst winners lately and testing ground not a concern.

Form: 57P3-52

Mister Whitaker⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Adrian Heskin| T: M R Channon| OR: 125| D

5/1

Nice step forward to land a Carlisle novice chase over 2m4f (good to soft) on second start in this discipline last month. Up 7lb for that success but further improvement likely.

Form: 6343-31

Bad Boy Du Pouldu^b²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 116

10/1

Twice finished second in three starts over fences, including here over 2m2f last month. Up significantly in trip after solid run at Southwell since, useful 5lb claim will aid the cause.

Form: 371-522

Non-Runners

Theo's Charm³

Weight: 11-3| Age: 7

T: N J Gifford J: J J Burke

Forecasts

Reigning Supreme (11/4), Hell's Kitchen (9/2), Mister Whitaker (5/1), Wenyerreadyfreddie (11/2), Touch Kick (15/2), Private Malone (8/1), Bad Boy Du Pouldu (10/1), Theo's Charm (14/1), Beggar's Wishes (16/1)

Hell's Kitchen is interesting judged on his second behind River Wylde at Uttoxeter last month on reappearance, but he got rid of Barry Geraghty since at Newbury. He can be keen in his races and, while well enough handicapped, isn't one to take a short price about for now. Reigning Supreme (preferred) and Wenyerreadyfreddie are respected with the champion trainer going well and should be noted in the betting but Carlisle winner MISTER WHITAKER could prove up to landing this. There was plenty to like in that success and further improvement should help him overcome the extra weight. Theo's Charm has been expensive to follow but could go well while Beggar's Wishes also has merits over this longer trip and with some juice in the ground.