20:45 Kempton

Wednesday 21 March 2018

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:4521:15

Matchbook Racing Is Commission Free Handicap

Off time: 20:45 | Winning time: 1m 13.3s

(5)

Major Assault²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: Mat Salaman| OR: 55| D

7/2

Won on his seasonal return at Lingfield last time and has gone up 3lb in the weights as he sticks to the same trip with the same jockey. That was a weak enough affair and he'll need to step up here.

Form: 9/8080-1

(9)

Compton Abbey⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: B R Johnson| OR: 55

12/1

Showed little in three maiden/novice events, and best watched off this mark on her handicap debut; steps down in trip slightly.

Form: 4-79

(12)

New Rich^v⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 54| CD

5/1

Has run well on all three starts so far this year, two of which came over C&D including a win on his seasonal reappearance. Draw not ideal but encouraging that he's only 3lb higher now.

Form: 444-152

(11)

Magic Approach³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Mitch Godwin⁽³⁾| T: J J Bridger| OR: 53| D

25/1

Won a maiden over this trip on the AW, but form in handicaps so far has left plenty to be desired. A 4lb drop down the weights may help somewhat though.

Form: 61653-7

(10)

Higgy's Heartbeat¹⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jack Duern⁽³⁾| T: D K Ivory| OR: 53

14/1

Only vaguely encouraging performance to date in handicap company came over 7f and doubts remains he has the necessary pace for this trip.

Form: 039400-

(7)

Home Again³⁰⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: S Donohoe| T: J Farrelly| OR: 52| BF

16/1

Didn't really run to form on his last start, at Chelmsford last May, but has been off since so possible something was amiss there. Can't be discounted from this on the basis of his previous form, provided he doesn't need the run.

Form: 0/23237-

(2)

Noble Deed^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Kieren Fox| T: M J Attwater| OR: 52| CD

7/1

Beaten by just half a length by Major Assault last time and has gone up 2lb in the weights (so only 1lb better off now). Is a C&D winner but concerning how long his losing streak is (even at this low level).

Form: 806-372

(4)

Dalness Express^t⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 52| CD

9/2

Fairly easy winner of a very weak contest here two starts back and found a rise in grade too much last time at Wolverhampton. The return to this course should suit, though.

Form: 706-315

(6)

Bataka^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Noel Garbutt⁽³⁾| T: L McJannet| OR: 51

66/1

Has only had two starts since December 2016, so clearly has had her issues, and is yet to really look up to proving competitive at this level.

Form: 207/3-9

(8)

Burauq^v⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J M Bradley| OR: 51| CD

16/1

More than capable of being competitive at this level on his best form, but has regressed slightly over his last few runs and has something to prove now.

Form: 324380

(1)

Billy's Boots^p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 48

9/2

Usually acquits himself fairly well, and though it's arguable that he's better over 5f this is a notable jockey booking and he ran a promising race at Lingfield last time.

Form: 4862-73

Non-Runners

(3)

Nag's Wag⁶

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: C R Dore J: J Fanning

Forecasts

Major Assault (7/2), Dalness Express (9/2), Billy's Boots (9/2), New Rich (5/1), Noble Deed (7/1), Compton Abbey (12/1), Higgy's Heartbeat (14/1), Burauq (16/1), Home Again (16/1), Nag's Wag (16/1), Magic Approach (25/1), Bataka (66/1)

NEW RICH has been in good form so far this year, with two of his three starts having come over C&D (one of which was a win). He may have edged up the weights recently but he should find this mark workable and he gets on well with this jockey. Major Assault narrowly beat Noble Deed to win at Lingfield last time and can confirm that form for the placings.