20:20 Kempton

Wednesday 4 July 2018

All17:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:2020:5021:20

32Red Casino Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 20:24 | Winning time: 1m 38.40s

(8)

Family Fortunes²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Dane O'Neill| T: S Kirk| OR: 82| C

12/1

Inconsistent since winning 6f maiden here last spring, and while he shaped better when neck second of 16 at Wetherby last month, he failed to build on that at Newbury last time. Others more reliable.

Form: 300-026

(5)

Apex King⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 80

8/1

Listed winner at Ascot as a juvenile, but not as good these days, and recent efforts suggest he'll need more help from the handicapper. Left Ed Dunlop after latest start.

Form: 555-800

(11)

Kingston Kurrajong²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Jason Watson⁽⁵⁾| T: W J Knight| OR: 80| CD

12/1

Both wins for current yard have come over C&D, latest in an apprentice handicap under this rider. Slightly up in class here, so needs more, but not easily ruled out.

Form: 713361

(12)

Mudawwan¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: K Stott| T: J D Bethell| OR: 76

16/1

Deauville Polytrack winner in August 2017 who has made a reasonable start for new connections, and shaped as if return to 1m would suit when fourth in an extended 7f handicap at Ayr last time. May do better.

Form: 7210-24

(6)

Al Reeh^h²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: M Botti| OR: 75| C

7/2

Lightly raced since winning a 6f maiden here as a juvenile, and yet to recapture best this term, although not disgraced when mid-field here last time, still looking short of peak fitness.

Form: 31/47-06

(9)

Robsdelight²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 81

16/1

Just a median auction novice he won at Redcar in May, and better form in defeat, including when better than the result in a 7f handicap here last time, running on after meeting trouble. Not ruled out.

Form: 282157

(7)

Zarjaz²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: T P Queally| T: K A Ryan| OR: 80| D

16/1

Broke his maiden when successful over 1m at Southwell in April, and possibly needed run when third in novice at Thirsk last time. Needs to step up on form, but open to improvement.

Form: 4213

(2)

Magic Mirror^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: M G Rimell| OR: 69| CD

16/1

Rarely runs away from this venue, and won three times at up to 1m here last year. Not at best of late, although had too much to do when 3L sixth of 14 to Vixen here last time, and on a feasible mark.

Form: 106586

(3)

Sod's Law⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Charlie Bennett⁽³⁾| T: H Morrison| OR: 78

9/1

Best effort to date when narrowly beaten on racecourse bow over C&D. Yet to go on as expected, but type to do better now handicapping, and market check essential.

Form: 2-45

(4)

Epic Challenge⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 76

11/2

Down the field in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket before a promising second at Goodwood in May. Failed to match that last time, but another who could take off now handicapping.

Form: 027

(10)

Dr Julius No²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Liam Keniry| T: M McGrath| OR: 66

100/1

Won twice as a juvenile, but struggling for form at present, and hard to fancy despite a falling handicap mark.

Form: 788807

(1)

Running Cloud^p¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 74

7/2

Hasn't progressed from a winning debut at Wolverhampton last year, although best effort this season when fifth of 10 to Cosmopolitan Queen at Sandown last time. Return to AW could well help.

Form: 535-585

Forecasts

Running Cloud (7/2), Al Reeh (7/2), Epic Challenge (11/2), Apex King (8/1), Sod's Law (9/1), Kingston Kurrajong (12/1), Family Fortunes (12/1), Magic Mirror (16/1), Zarjaz (16/1), Robsdelight (16/1), Mudawwan (16/1), Dr Julius No (100/1)

SOD'S LAW and Epic Challenge are a pair of handicap debutants from shrewd yards who must be taken seriously, with the former preferred having run so well over C&D on his racecourse debut. Magic Mirror caught the eye here last time, and seems to be running into form, while a return to the AW could be a catalyst for Running Cloud to bounce back.