20:15 Kempton

Saturday 17 February 2018

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

Smarter Bets With Matchbook Handicap

Off time: 20:15 | Winning time: 1m 38.85s

(6)

Kingston Kurrajong^v1¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: M Harley| T: W J Knight| OR: 77| D

6/1

Yet to win on AW (0-6) but ran well in decent 1m Sandown handicap in September on good ground when last out. First-time visor, drop in class, first run for new trainer and potentially lenient mark all add to claims if ready to go.

Form: 833205-

(8)

Phosphorescence^p²⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Mr Fletcher Yarham⁽⁷⁾| T: George Scott| OR: 75| C| D

7/1

Maiden winner here over 1m4f in 2013, dual winner on turf after joining this trainer last year and went close over this C&D in June. Out of sorts at Yarmouth in August, returns from layoff with cheekpieces back on. Check betting.

Form: 801/127-

(4)

Arsenio Lupin²¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Burns⁽⁷⁾| T: D P Quinn| OR: 75WS

12/1

Six-race maiden, showed plenty promise in Lingfield maidens around this time last year and in turf handicaps thereafter. Off seven months and undergone wind surgery, could go well for claiming rider.

Form: 343205-

(2)

Happy Escape^t²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: K Shoemark| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 74| CD

11/4

Filly has progressed nicely for new yard, recording back-to-back C&D successes last month. Had plenty in hand last time and 6lb penalty might not be enough to halt ambitions.

Form: 7723-11

(10)

Dangerous Ends^p⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: B R Johnson| OR: 74| BF| CD

9/2

A three-time C&D scorer already, most recently in July off a mark of 63, the gelding was in solid form at Chelmsford late last year over 1m2f and should go well again now dropped to the mile.

Form: 132512-

(7)

Bluff Crag²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: S Donohoe| T: P J McBride| OR: 73| CD

10/1

Sprung a 25/1 shock when scoring for Richard Hughes over C&D in August (4lb lower mark). Has run well enough in two starts here for new trainer and can be given fair place claims.

Form: 15266-5

(9)

Stormingin²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: A Kirby| T: D E Cantillon| OR: 69| D

10/1

Maiden winner on turf in Ireland in October 2016 over this sort of trip, though flattered to deceive in seven Flat starts for two trainers since. Fair effort on hurdles debut last time at Huntingdon and given a chance be the assessor for AW bow.

Form: 006346-

(11)

Chetan^t⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: C Wallis| OR: 69| CD

12/1

Six of 10 career wins have come around here, including in September over this trip. Scored again off a mark of 67 at Chelmsford subsequently before form rather tailed off. On a fair mark back from short break if ready to roll again.

Form: 110037-

(5)

Lava Light¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 68

12/1

Sixties Icon filly was placed once from four starts in sprints when trained by Henry Candy as a juvenile. Missed the whole of 2017 and soon beaten over 1m at Lingfield on return 15 days ago. Entitled to have needed that run.

Form: 5427/6

(1)

Peace Officer⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Danny Brock| T: D P Quinn| OR: 66

20/1

Lightly-raced sort, won a 6f Dundalk maiden in December for Eddie Lynam, outpaced over same trip on debut for this handler at Lingfield recently, back up in distance now but has work to do.

Form: 43251-0

(3)

Freddy With A Y⁹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Kieren Fox| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 60| C

20/1

Bits and pieces of form on the Flat last year, including 7f win here in October. Out of form over hurdles since, returns from 95-day break now and has fair bit on his plate from this mark seemingly.

Form: 950815-

Forecasts

Happy Escape (11/4), Dangerous Ends (9/2), Kingston Kurrajong (6/1), Phosphorescence (7/1), Stormingin (10/1), Bluff Crag (10/1), Arsenio Lupin (12/1), Chetan (12/1), Lava Light (12/1), Freddy With A Y (20/1), Peace Officer (20/1)

HAPPY ESCAPE looks the most likely winner having excelled since joining Neil Mulholland. She appeared to have plenty in hand when scoring here last time and can defy her ratings hike to go in again. This will certainly be tougher, with Dangerous Ends and Bluff Crag having C&D form to their name while Kingston Kurrajong is interesting returned from a break on what could be favourable terms. Adam Kirby is an intriguing booking on board AW debutante Stormingin, who has seemingly been handed a chance by the assessor here.