19:30 Kempton

Thursday 1 February 2018

All17:5518:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Matchbook Casino Handicap (Qualifier)

Off time: 19:31 | Winning time: 2m 19.64s

(2)

First Up^t¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Cameron Noble⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 84| C

10/1

Landed 7f course maiden in September 2016 for Jeremy Noseda. Sixth start for current yard and appeared to have hard race when well beaten over hurdles last time. Previous A/W form respectable but might find a few too good off this mark.

Form: 806263-

(8)

Sea Tide^t¹¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 84

7/1

Ended frustrating run of placed efforts for previous yard when winning Carlisle 9f maiden last August. Bought for 16,000 guineas at December Sales and makes debut here for new connections. Jockey booking catches the eye.

Form: 233127-

(5)

Warm Oasis⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 80

7/2

Won Newcastle 12f maiden last time but didn't look an easy ride, hanging left for much of the race. Makes handicap bow off feasible mark but not certain drop back in trip will suit.

Form: 6241-

(6)

Ourmullion^p³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J R Best| OR: 80

14/1

Back-to-back successes over 10f at Chelmsford in September and again ran well there in December before failing to stay 12f last time at Lingfield. Drop back should help but handicapper might just have his measure for now.

Form: 611040-

(7)

Fanoulpifer^h,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Kieren Fox| T: M J Attwater| OR: 79

12/1

Ex-Italian gelding who found life tough on first three starts in handicaps in this country, but did better latest when runner-up in Lingfield seller last time. This is tougher but may finally be close to workable mark.

Form: 72/596-2

(3)

Graceful James^p1²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: K T O'Neill| T: J C Fox| OR: 79| C

10/1

Landed mile maiden here back in November 2015. Fair third at Chelmsford latest and eased another 1lb in the weights. First-time cheekpieces might spark a revival and any market support from shrewd yard would be noteworthy.

Form: 14007-3

(10)

Thaqaffa^h⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: M Harley| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 73| CD

5/1

In fine form of late with two course wins but 6lb penalty doesn't make life easy. May still be a little more to come though so definitely one for the short list given recent evidence.

Form: 0735-11

(4)

Azam^p²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 76| BF| C

8/1

Won 10f Kempton maiden 15 months ago for John Gosden. Hasn't shone for new connections since August and was beaten when hampered inside the distance latest. Was sent off favourite though last time so clearly has shown something at home.

Form: 30067-5

(1)

Bazooka⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: T J Murphy| T: D Flood| OR: 75

8/1

Mixed form over hurdles this winter and has it to prove on A/W with record stand at 0-15. Difficult to enthuse over given balance of form.

Form: 5/97132-

(9)

Topamichi^v1²³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: Keelan Baker⁽⁷⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 70

8/1

Wears first-time visor after disappointing effort when last of five at Southwell latest. Inexperienced jockey claims 7lb and change of surface won't harm but has plenty to prove at present.

Form: 63123-5

(11)

Sufi²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Hollie Doyle| T: K O Cunningham-Brown| OR: 70

16/1

Nicely bred gelding but has become increasingly frustrating and remains a maiden after 10 starts. Not disgraced on each of last two runs but was rather wayward here three weeks ago and looks a hard ride.

Form: 38747-6

Forecasts

Warm Oasis (7/2), Thaqaffa (5/1), Sea Tide (7/1), Azam (8/1), Bazooka (8/1), Topamichi (8/1), Graceful James (10/1), First Up (10/1), Fanoulpifer (12/1), Ourmullion (14/1), Sufi (16/1)

GRACEFUL JAMES and Thaqaffa both have claims in this event with narrow preference going to the former. He caught the eye staying on steadily last time and with first-time cheekpieces applied this might be the time to catch him. Thaqaffa is in fine form at present and should make another bold bid but will do well to overcome his penalty. Warm Oasis is interesting on handicap debut and any money for him must be noted, while both Ourmullion and Sea Tide also have claims.