18:45 Kempton

Saturday 17 February 2018

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

Matchbook VIP Handicap

Off time: 18:46 | Winning time: 1m 12.03s

(5)

Born To Finish^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 78| BF| CD

4/1

Former C&D winner with useful profile on the AW in this sort of grade. Good second of 12 in handicap at Lingfield a week ago, 4lb above previous win mark here but should be competitive.

Form: 2123-62

(1)

Glory of Paris¹⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: William Carson| T: B R Millman| OR: 77| C

12/1

Good winner over 7f around here in April, one of only two starts on the AW (perhaps didn't see out 1m here next time). Ran sound race at Chepstow (6f, soft) in September when last spotted, one to note in betting on return.

Form: 265855-

(7)

Nezar²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Jack Duern⁽³⁾| T: D K Ivory| OR: 76| D

10/1

Close second behind Born To Finish over C&D in November, filled the same berth at Lingfield next time. Didn't get the clearest run when 1¾L third over 7f here last month. Likely to throw his hat in the ring again dropped to 6f but just 1-16 on AW.

Form: 02255-3

(11)

Bahamian Heights^h²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Danny Brock| T: P S McEntee| OR: 75| BF| D

12/1

Got up late on over 6f at Chelmsford in November to collar Born To Finish when causing 25/1 stir. Scored again over 5f at same track in December. Flattered to deceive in three runs since, first run for new yard and could have a say if in the mood.

Form: 12152-6

(8)

Professor¹⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: M Harley| T: W J Knight| OR: 75| D

16/1

Losing streak goes back to 2014 and now stands at 24, was out of form before leaving Michael Attwater but might be worth a check in market on first start for new handler. 0-5 on the AW.

Form: 368360-

(6)

Major Valentine²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Fran Berry| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 73| CD

6/1

Three-time winner over C&D, beaten just over 2L here last month on return from a short break, runs off the same mark now and entitled to be fitter. Closely matched with Nezar on March run here.

Form: 23230-3

(12)

Pulsating^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 69| CD

11/4

Filly came from off the pace to just prevail in C&D event 16 days ago, benefitting from a decent pace being set. Knows how to win on AW (6-29) but another career-best needed off new mark.

Form: 113321

(10)

Big Lachie¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 68| D

14/1

Over a year since won off a 7lb higher mark for Jamie Osborne at Wolverhampton and has lacked any real consistency for current yard. Engaged at Newcastle on Friday 18:45.

Form: 9420-88

(2)

Kinglami²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 68| C| D

20/1

Well-placed to win four times on turf last season but ended the year a little out of sorts. More than five years since his 7f win here and easily swatted aside over this trip three weeks ago. Others carry more appeal.

Form: 26080-9

(9)

Red Tycoon²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: K Shoemark| T: K O Cunningham-Brown| OR: 68| D

16/1

Twice a winner for David Barron but winless for this yard, despite a couple of runner-up efforts last year. Finished seventh of 11 over C&D three weeks ago and may again struggle to land a blow on that evidence.

Form: 92037-7

(4)

Inlawed²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: R Kingscote| T: E Walker| OR: 67| CD

8/1

Won his first two over this C&D in the autumn, had every chance here three weeks ago but not able to produce best stuff in the finish. Only beaten 2¾L into fifth of 11, gets 1lb back and cannot be ruled out for in-form Ed Walker team (3-8 lately).

Form: 61316-5

(3)

Deeds Not Words^p⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: F Norton| T: M Wigham| OR: 62| CD

20/1

C&D winner in May off a mark of 58, has been toiling of late but cannot be ruled out completely from sliding mark if taking a step in the right direction.

Form: 640-797

Forecasts

Pulsating (11/4), Born To Finish (4/1), Major Valentine (6/1), Inlawed (8/1), Nezar (10/1), Glory of Paris (12/1), Bahamian Heights (12/1), Big Lachie (14/1), Professor (16/1), Red Tycoon (16/1), Kinglami (20/1), Deeds Not Words (20/1)

Plenty in with chances here seemingly, Born To Finish has a fair profile in this grade and should go well, while Glory of Paris is well worth paying attention to in the betting off a break as a previous course winner. Major Valentine and Nezar (first and second over C&D in April) could both mount a challenge but INLAWED gets the vote for in-form trainer Ed Walker. He won his first two starts here back in the autumn and ran well enough three weeks ago to suggest there is another prize within his grasp.