17:40 Kempton

Wednesday 7 March 2018

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:4021:10

32Red Handicap

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 2m 6.52s

(1)

Dark Red¹²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 102| D

8/1

Ended last turf season winning at York then running well in defeat at Ascot and Newmarket. Possible less effective on AW and only raced at Chelmsford to date. Four month absence to overcome so will need to be fully fit to score off this mark.

Form: 346134-

(2)

Pactolus^h,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S C Williams| OR: 99| C| D

7/1

Has run well all starts this winter off similar mark and no reason he won't be in the shake-up once again. Trip and surface suit but holds no secrets from the handicapper.

Form: 214-323

(7)

Kyllachy Gala⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁷⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 97

6/1

Ex-Italian gelding yet to win in 11 starts for current yard. Narrowly beaten at Lingfield in December and again ran well there last time in conditions race. Sure to be on the premises and presence of in-form apprentice claiming 7lb will help.

Form: 8423-53

(5)

Fire Fighting¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 97| C| D

8/1

Dual Listed winner in his time but has been on the slides over the last year and despite falling mark showed little encouragement last time here over 11f. Hard to fancy in current form.

Form: 738-589

(3)

Star Archer^h²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: H Palmer| OR: 96

7/4

Unexposed Champs Elysses gelding winner of 3 of his 6 career starts. Successful at Wolverhampton last two outings and top class rider now takes over off 6lb higher mark. Stands out on current form and looks sure to run well.

Form: 2216/11

(6)

Intrepidly³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: J Noseda| OR: 90| C| D

4/1

2-4 on turf but yet to score on AW in four attempts. Possibly found 1m4f far enough last time and this trip may suit better. Yard doing very well with few runners at present so has to be respected.

Form: 41704-3

(4)

Flight Of Fantasy^h⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 85| C

10/1

Both career wins have come over 1m4f and not obvious this drop back in trip will help. Run well though last twice forcing the pace (won at Kempton in January), so hopes rest on her taking them along and pinching a lead.

Form: 4482-12

Forecasts

Star Archer (7/4), Intrepidly (4/1), Kyllachy Gala (6/1), Pactolus (7/1), Dark Red (8/1), Fire Fighting (8/1), Flight Of Fantasy (10/1)

With Ryan Moore booked it looks as though connections mean business with the improving hat-trick seeker STAR ARCHER who has impressed in both wins of late. Intrepidly comes into this after a fair effort last time and shouldn't be far away, while the filly Flight of Fantasy should make the pace and they wouldn't want to give her too much rope. Kyllachy Gala has an in-form apprentice claiming 7lb on his side, while the ever-present Pactolus is another who adds spice to the mix.