18:25 Kempton

Wednesday 29 August 2018

All17:5518:2518:5519:2519:5520:2520:55

32Red.com Handicap

Off time: 18:26 | Winning time: 1m 37.42s

(4)

Blame Culture²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: G G Margarson| OR: 79

8/1

Has run creditably on all three starts here, again looking in need of a stiffer test when keeping on into third behind Maaward in a C&D novice last time.

Form: 2-23863

(12)

Whitehall^v²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 79| BF| D

9/2

Largely progressive this year, and almost added to Nottingham win when rallying to be beaten narrowly at Sandown (1m) last time. Not an easy ride, but getting his act together, and every chance here.

Form: 631342

(2)

Croque Monsieur^t¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Harry Bentley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 78| D

2/1

Some promise in qualifying runs, but much improved having been gelded when bolting up on handicap debut at Chelmsford last time. Tongue tie he wore there is retained, and capable of defying an 11lb rise.

Form: 7771

(5)

King's Slipper¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 77| D

7/1

Winner of a novice at Windsor in July, and bounced back from a disappointing handicap debut when second at Salisbury last time despite pulling hard. Fairly treated if he can settle better.

Form: 02152

(9)

U S S Missouri¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: E J Walsh⁽³⁾| T: D P Quinn| OR: 77

40/1

Showed plenty of ability last year, but sold after a poor run on handicap bow (in blinkers), and bucked his rider off as race began at Yarmouth last time. One to be wary of.

Form: 33-395U

(14)

Quality Seeker³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: L P Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 77| BF| D

20/1

Dam was a Canadian Grade 1 turf winner. Improved to land a 4-runner handicap at Windsor in July, but all out to do so, and just a respectable third of 6 there last time over 1¼m. Needs to progress again, although return to 1m will suit.

Form: 5-4613

(8)

Bobby Biscuit¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J F Egan| T: S Dow| OR: 77| CD

11/1

Scored over C&D in January, and had little luck in running in a 7f handicap here last time on first start after wind surgery. Needs to bounce back to his best now, but reasons to be optimistic.

Form: 173854

(10)

Climb Aboard⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Morrison| OR: 75

10/1

Caught the eye when second over 7f here in May, looking in need of further, and he can be forgiven a poor run on handicap debut when unsuited by being held up in a slowly-run race. Needs to improve, but remains unexposed granted a test at this trip.

Form: 04236

(3)

Running Cloud^v²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 73

7/1

Yet to add to debut success, despite a number of creditable efforts. Not disgraced last time, but now 0-8 in handicaps, and beginning to look exposed.

Form: 853225

(6)

Sharg¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 73

16/1

Half-brother to Oaks winner Dancing Rain, and cost 500,000 gns as a yearling; best effort when close second under an inexperienced rider over C&D on penultimate start, but couldn't match that last time, and opening mark is stiff.

Form: 5322

(7)

Nelson River³²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: L Morris| T: A W Carroll| OR: 65

66/1

Well held in three quick runs last autumn for Clive Cox, showing ability, and type to do better in handicaps having been gelded. Absence and change of yard a concern, though, and opening mark demands improvement.

Form: 807-

(1)

French Kiss³¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: J Quinn| T: A W Carroll| OR: 58

66/1

Similar profile to stablemate Nelson River, having been gelded after three quick runs for another yard last autumn. Out of the weights for handicap debut, and will have easier openings.

Form: 997-

Non-Runners

(11)

Bombastic²⁵

Weight: 9-10| Age: 3

T: E De Giles J: Non Runner

(13)

Christopher Wood¹³

Weight: 9-6| Age: 3

T: M L W Bell J: Jason Watson

Forecasts

Croque Monsieur (2/1), Whitehall (9/2), King's Slipper (7/1), Running Cloud (7/1), Blame Culture (8/1), Climb Aboard (10/1), Christopher Wood (10/1), Bobby Biscuit (11/1), Bombastic (12/1), Sharg (16/1), Quality Seeker (20/1), U S S Missouri (40/1), Nelson River (66/1), French Kiss (66/1)

CROQUE MONSIEUR is saddled with an 11lb rise for scoring with authority on his handicap bow, but he looked a totally different proposition there, and can show his opening mark to be all wrong. Whitehall isn't the easiest of conveyances but rallied gamely when second at Sandown last time, and has the assistance of Ryan Moore, while Climb Aboard ought to improve granted a thorough test at this trip, and is open to plenty of improvement.