16:10 Kempton

Saturday 24 February 2018

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Betdaq 2% Commission Exchange Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 5m 15.5s

I'dliketheoption^t²¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131

8/1

Comfortably landed a handicap at Market Rasen in May, but was raised 7lb and finished down the field in the Listed Summer Plate at the same venue in July. Off the course since then and has quite a bit to prove off 1lb lower.

Form: 4324-10

Kayf Blanco²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 128| BF| C

7/2

Fair handicap hurdler who has been placed in four of six races over fences, but has not been able to get his head in front. Close third at Wetherby last time has resulted in a 2lb rise which seems harsh.

Form: 2F2323

Fourth Act^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 128| D

4/1

First run after wind surgery saw him land a handicap hurdle at Fontwell. Contested a much stronger race at Sandown last time and reverts to the bigger obstacles over a distance which may be on the short side for him.

Form: 653-710

Valseur Du Granval^t⁸⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 125| C

16/1

Good second in a quite valuable handicap at Uttoxeter in May, but two subsequent efforts have proved disappointing. Feasibly weighted, but needs to show more.

Form: 434-255

Favorito Buck's⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124| BF

7/1

Has not really got his act together in five starts over fences, but his best run did come at this track when third of 11 in November. Pulled up over C&D on his latest outing when he jumped poorly and needs to improve in that department.

Form: 8P4-F3P

Enjoy Responsibly⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁷⁾| T: O Sherwood| OR: 123| D

7/1

Won easily at Fakenham on his first run for this trainer, but shot up the weights and has been out of the frame in two subsequent starts. Still looks in the grip of the handicapper.

Form: 224-154

No Ceiling^h⁸⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 117

7/1

Won the second of six starts over fences when successful in good style at Doncaster in December. Has been hit with an 11lb rise, but has scope for improvement and enters calculations.

Form: 1332-41

Rothman^p,t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: David Noonan| T: C Gordon| OR: 112| BF| D

5/1

On a long, losing streak, but has been running creditably over hurdles and fences. Good effort over C&D last month and a reproduction of that display would see him thereabouts.

Form: S22822

Forecasts

Kayf Blanco (7/2), Fourth Act (4/1), Rothman (5/1), Favorito Buck's (7/1), Enjoy Responsibly (7/1), No Ceiling (7/1), I'dliketheoption (8/1), Valseur Du Granval (16/1)

Holes can be picked in the chances of all of these, but NO CEILING was a good winner last time at Doncaster and can defy a weight rise in a race which might not take that much winning. Rothman boasts C&D form which gives him a shout and Valseur Du Granval would be in the mix if able to reproduce a good effort at Uttoxeter in the summer. Top-weight I'dliketheoption has the talent to make a bold bid if fit enough after his break.