18:15 Kempton

Friday 26 January 2018

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:4521:15

Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 18:17 | Winning time: 2m 8.02s

(2)

Rakematiz²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: B R Johnson| OR: 61

15/8

Winner at Lingfield on turf and not disgraced on last two starts there when poorly drawn. Looked the best horse on the day last time and out for compensation from a good berth.

Form: 016052-

(4)

Galinthias²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Levi Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 59

11/1

Winner on soft ground in better grade last summer off an 8lb higher mark. Style of running would benefit from a good pace and hard to find anything that may oblige.

Form: 57878-7

(8)

Topmeup^v⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: M Harley| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 57

16/1

Runner-up in a weak looking race at Lingfield last month and has not seen out this longer trip on two latest outings.

Form: 4624-78

(7)

Arcadian Sea^h¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: W Jarvis| OR: 56| BF| D

4/1

Shed his maiden tag over this trip at Chelmsford in September but was unconvincing in doing so. Trainer resorts to a hood and strong handling having been too keen on his last two starts.

Form: 36147-4

(5)

Diamond Reflection^t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Liam Keniry| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 54

9/1

Signs of a revival here last time having been dropped to this mark. That was over 1m4f and this drop in trip may not be in his favour given how he finished.

Form: 42/90-03

(1)

Gracious George¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: E J Walsh⁽³⁾| T: J C Fox| OR: 53| C

9/2

Has done all his winning over shorter, but has form at this trip and style of running perhaps means he needs further as his age advances. There has been support for him lately with his mark dropping to such attractive levels.

Form: 58036-4

(3)

Noreena²⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: L Morris| T: P W D'Arcy| OR: 52

40/1

Less exposed than most, but hardly leaps out of the form book and returns from almost 10 months on the sidelines. Jockey booking takes the eye so worth a check in the market.

Form: 9/757-

(6)

Pegi Browne¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: P T Midgley| OR: 49

7/1

Nearer last than first in two starts since arriving from Ireland with an unconvincing profile. Current yard try her over another new trip and she is hard to fancy at present.

Form: 60/880-8

Non-Runners

(9)

Katie's Surprise¹

Weight: 8-6| Age: 4

T: J Butler J: Tim Clark

Forecasts

Rakematiz (15/8), Arcadian Sea (4/1), Gracious George (9/2), Pegi Browne (7/1), Diamond Reflection (9/1), Galinthias (11/1), Katie's Surprise (14/1), Topmeup (16/1), Noreena (40/1)

RAKEMATIZ did not get much cover last time from a wide draw and can be considered an unlucky loser. This looks uncompetitive and he is taken to get his head in front this time. Arcadian Sea will find this easier than his starts since his Chelmsford success, whilst Gracious George looks attractively weighted at present. Noreena and Katie's Surprise are unexposed sorts at the foot of the handicap who would be interesting if coming in for support.