17:40 Kempton

Wednesday 8 August 2018

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

Bet At racinguk.com Handicap

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 1m 40.92s

(7)

Appointment Only^p²⁸⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: S W Kelly| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 65

2/1

From same yard as American Patrol, and claims of taking this aren't as clear, but he is having his first start for the yard after an absence and Jim Crowley an interesting booking. Be interesting to see what the market says.

Form: 0/07056-

(11)

Connemera Queen^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Tim Clark⁽³⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 64| CD

16/1

Winner over C&D (and in this grade) back in May, so has that going for her, but recent efforts haven't been quite so encouraging. Tends to come with a late run, so faster they go the better, but stall 11 not much help either.

Form: 851355

(4)

Waqt²²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Tyler Saunders⁽⁷⁾| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 64

20/1

Not seen out since December, so likely to need this outing, and although he went close over 7f here last October that does seem to be his preferred trip, and he's yet to prove he really wants a mile. Still early days, but others preferred.

Form: 885208-

(9)

Fortune And Glory¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Nicola Currie⁽³⁾| T: J Tuite| OR: 62| C

7/2

Has been running with great consistency throughout the spring and summer, continued that run with another solid third back on turf at Newbury last time but no problem with this surface. Trip possibly stretches him but place chances again.

Form: 142333

(13)

Maria's Choice⁶¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: Harry Burns⁽⁷⁾| T: J & S Best| OR: 61| C

66/1

Not seen out since December 2016 and although yard has had the odd one come back off a long absence to run well, handicapper has hardly been kind despite the layoff and this trip on the short side too.

Form: 172020/

(3)

Pick A Little⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: M Blake| OR: 57| C| D

33/1

Been a good servant to the yard over the years and has won his share of low-grade events, but has only beaten a couple of horses home last three starts. Down to a good mark now though, and should be getting fitter, so not totally discounted.

Form: 216-090

(2)

Oskemen^p⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A Watson| OR: 64

6/4

Wasn't going anywhere for David O'Meara but a change of scenery did the trick and he ran much better on first start for new yard when running on to take a close second at Wolverhampton latest. Obvious chances with a repeat of that, with trip fine.

Form: 2-60682

(8)

License To Thrill^b1⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: N Mackay| T: S Dow| OR: 55

33/1

No win and just the one place from 13 starts so far, not doing anything last couple of starts to suggest he's up to taking a hand in this and hopes now pinned on headgear to turn his fortunes around.

Form: 054909

(1)

Athassel²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: S Donohoe| T: P D Evans| OR: 54| C

16/1

Would pick this lot up and drop them on the best of his form but it's a long time since he showed any of that and despite a good draw, he simply looks too risky a proposition now.

Form: 580078

(14)

Theydon Spirit⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: M M Monaghan⁽³⁾| T: H Spiller| OR: 59

33/1

Had just the three starts and is at least open to improvement, and there was some promise in his debut here in March, where he ran on again late in eyecatching fashion. Goes handicapping on a low mark and is more interesting than most.

Form: 760

(5)

Gracious George⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: Aled Beech⁽⁷⁾| T: J C Fox| OR: 50| CD

25/1

Have to go back over two years to find the last time he won one, and although the odd effort recently gives him place chances, he's not really done enough to suggest he's up to winning this.

Form: 036-438

(12)

Embankment⁷⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: R Havlin| T: M J Attwater| OR: 49| CD

33/1

C&D winner back in the day but sent off big prices most starts recently and has been well beaten in three starts this year. May have needed latest outing after a break but even so, hard to make much of a case for.

Form: 079-090

Non-Runners

(6)

American Patrol¹⁴

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: N P Mulholland J: R Winston

(10)

Zabaletaswansong²⁰

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: R Hannon J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Oskemen (6/4), Appointment Only (2/1), American Patrol (3/1), Fortune And Glory (7/2), Zabaletaswansong (12/1), Connemera Queen (16/1), Athassel (16/1), Waqt (20/1), Gracious George (25/1), Embankment (33/1), Theydon Spirit (33/1), Pick A Little (33/1), License To Thrill (33/1), Maria's Choice (66/1)

A tricky opener that's made even trickier by the fact there appears to be little in the way of pace up front, and that won't help the likes of American Patrol and Connemara Queen much. OSKERMAN appears to be the obvious one after a first solid effort for his new yard and he may be able to build upon it here. Fortune And Glory probably won't mind if this is slowly run and may be the danger. Gracious George and Pick a Little are worth a look for those wanting something e/w at a working man's price.