19:45 Kempton

Saturday 3 February 2018

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

32Red.com Handicap

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 1m 37.83s

(3)

Malaspina^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: P J McDonald| T: I Furtado| OR: 87| BF| D

11/2

Developed a nice habit of winning last year, which counts for plenty, making all to win at Newcastle in November but latest effort was a little disappointing (faded after making running) and it could be the handicapper has her now.

Form: 13111-4

(5)

Humbert¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 86| CD

4/5

Improving and form of latest win franked when second won next time out (third went close too). Looked impressive when sprinting clear over C&D in December and clearly likes these conditions, so has to be a big player again.

Form: 26/1-1

(2)

Dr Julius No¹²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: S W Kelly| T: M McGrath| OR: 86

20/1

Capable of good handicap form for Richard Hughes, although devilishly hard to win with. First start for new yard here, and probably best watched after an absence.

Form: 324364-

(1)

Poetic Force¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: George Downing| T: A W Carroll| OR: 82

16/1

Went very close at Salisbury over this trip last September, but turf mark is much lower than A/W mark and he was well beaten when last seen here in January. Yard going well now though, so a better effort may be forthcoming.

Form: 45825-0

(6)

Cyrus Dallin¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: M Dwyer| T: W R Muir| OR: 78| D

16/1

Surprise winner at Goodwood in June (went off 33/1) in a first time hood but hasn't repeated that effort since. Been off since September and hood is missing tonight, all of which suggests he may have to wait for another day for that next win.

Form: 491494-

(7)

Athassel³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 73| C

33/1

Best days behind him now, still capable of mixing it at this level as he showed when a close fourth here in November. Going days hard to predict, and may be happier at 7f these days, so others make a bit more appeal.

Form: 80546-5

(4)

Derek Duval^h1,t¹⁰¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 72WS

4/1

Improved throughout first half of last year but it plateaued out somewhat in the autumn. Has had wind surgery since last seen though, which could help him get back on track, and does act under these conditions. Watch the market for a clue.

Form: 257895-

Forecasts

Humbert (4/5), Derek Duval (4/1), Malaspina (11/2), Poetic Force (16/1), Cyrus Dallin (16/1), Dr Julius No (20/1), Athassel (33/1)

HUMBERT is the one on an upward curve here, and with ideal conditions again, looks hard to beat. Derek Duval is the most interesting of his opponents, having had wind surgery when last seen, which could get him back on track. He looked impressive in the first half of last season before it all went south. With his yard now in better form, Poetic Force may well produce a better effort here too.