20:30 Kempton

Thursday 1 February 2018

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

Smarter Bets With Matchbook Handicap

Off time: 20:30 | Winning time: 3m 28.92s

(5)

Rahmah²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: T J Murphy| T: G Deacon| OR: 66

14/1

No show on return to action here over 11f last time and this massive step up in trip looks something of a shot in the dark. Scored over 10f on turf last July so appears to have plenty to do.

Form: 62143-0

(3)

Western Way^v²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: A Kirby| T: D E Cantillon| OR: 65| D

3/1

Runner-up over 7f at Newcastle in November, then won last time over 16f at Chelmsford under today's jockey. Just 3lb higher, represents very shrewd conenctions, so looks one very much for the short list.

Form: 007/28-1

(9)

Ruler Of The Nile^v1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: R Stephens| OR: 65| D

4/1

Just 1-16 on A/W but ran a fair race at Southwell last time over this trip. Different surface here, but first-time visor might just sharpen him up and a bold show not ruled out.

Form: 864442-

(7)

Buyer Beware¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: D C Costello| T: P Holmes| OR: 63

16/1

Fair jumper for Gordon Elliott in Ireland but hasn't really made the grade so far for current conenctions since joining them in September '16. Didn't run badly at Newcastle latest but others are preferred.

Form: 96549-6

(1)

Guards Chapel^v¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-12| J: S W Kelly| T: G & J Moore| OR: 63| CD

25/1

Veteran who stays well and is effective on this surface. No show over C&D last time but dropped 4lb and good rider on board so market definitely worth a second glance.

Form: 90315/8

(8)

Quebec^p⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: R Ingram| OR: 61

25/1

Dual purpose performer who started off life in France with Andre Fabre. 19 races without a win though for a number of trainers since then and again looks to have his work cut out.

Form: 421/8-68

(10)

Breslin^t1³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: H Crouch| T: Miss S West| OR: 60

10/1

Pulled up over hurdles at Fontwell on Boxing Day and hasn't raced beyond 9f on the Flat so this 16f trip is a journey very much into the unknown. Looks a doubtful stayer.

Form: 660149/

(12)

Heron¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: B R Johnson| OR: 63

14/1

Showed a little form in three maiden for Hugo Palmer last year but yet to make his presence felt in handicaps. Falling rating and good claimer on board could signal some improvement though and is one of the more likely outsiders.

Form: 2839-7

(11)

Hewouldwouldnthe²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 63

5/1

Step up in trip looks the right call for this one paced filly who didn't run a bad race when third on handicap debut over 14f at Southwell last time in an amateurs event. May grab a place.

Form: 843-3

(6)

Night Generation^p,t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Charles Bishop| T: C Gordon| OR: 55| D

25/1

Three lousy runs since winning over hurdles in November and is very hard to enthuse over in current form. Others are much preferred.

Form: 23887-7

(4)

Roy Rocket¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: John Berry| OR: 55

10/1

Brighton specialist who is at his best over 10-12 furlongs. Yet to reach a place in 11 starts on A/W and hard to recommend trying new trip on this surface.

Form: 35576-4

(2)

Too Many Shots²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J R Best| OR: 52

6/1

Tried this trip for the first time on latest start and not disgraced in finishing third but hard to say conclusively that he stayed. Still a maiden after 19 starts so any market interest would be significant.

Form: 33207-3

Forecasts

Western Way (3/1), Ruler Of The Nile (4/1), Hewouldwouldnthe (5/1), Too Many Shots (6/1), Breslin (10/1), Roy Rocket (10/1), Rahmah (14/1), Heron (14/1), Buyer Beware (16/1), Guards Chapel (25/1), Quebec (25/1), Night Generation (25/1)

WESTERN WAY represnts a very shrewd yard and appeared to have something in hand when scoring at Chelmsford last time. He might prove hard to beat in this finale. In the first-time visor Ruler Of The Nile might give the selection a race, and another worth a look is Heron, whose yard is in good form at the moment. Hewouldwouldnthe and Guards Chapel are others with place prospects, if in the mood.