16:40 Kempton

Monday 24 September 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:1017:40

Matchbook Casino Handicap

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 1m 12.15s

(5)

Reputation^v²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 92| D

8/1

Impressive when winning at Ripon earlier in the campaign, but inconsistent since. Back to form when neck second of 10 to Bossipop at Chester last time from a low draw, but needs to show he can back that up now.

Form: 802092

(8)

Watchable^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: S De Sousa| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92| D

14/1

Gained a first success since 2014 at Doncaster at the start of the campaign and got another win under his belt at Pontefract in July. Not fired fully since, although has quickly dropped back to last winning mark, so not dismissed entirely.

Form: 210595

(4)

Polybius⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D M Simcock| OR: 89| CD

13/8

Talented but frustrating character who hasn't won in over three years. Best effort this term when neck second of 7 to Mazzini at Yarmouth last time, but again forfeited winning chance with a slow start. Risky.

Form: 665542

(3)

Zain Hana³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: J Noseda| OR: 91| D

3/1

Cost 320,000 gns at the breeze-ups last year, and often highly tried, as when down the field in listed company at Pontefract last time. Fairly treated back in handicaps, so should give a better account here.

Form: 1-05217

(2)

The Daley Express⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: R Harris| OR: 88| D

14/1

All his wins have come on good or softer turf, and successful twice at Bath in the spring. Out of his comfort zone in Portland Handicap at Doncaster last time, and this is more realistic.

Form: 121560

(9)

Helvetian⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: M R Channon| OR: 89| CD

7/1

Won a C&D handicap in January, and plenty of respectable efforts in defeat since, shaping better than the bare result after running into traffic at Chelmsford last time. Not taken lightly.

Form: 347296

(6)

Airshow³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Joey Haynes| T: B R Millman| OR: 86| CD

12/1

Both wins this season have come over C&D, the latest in June off 10lb lower. Has struggled of late, however, and while return to this track will help, he looks a bit high in the weights on balance.

Form: 841267

(1)

Pearl Spectre¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Josephine Gordon| T: P S McEntee| OR: 84| C| D

33/1

Winner at Southwell (1m) back in April from a 6lb lower mark. Has found marks in the 80's beyond him since, and well beaten after a break here last time. Likely to need this still on way back to full fitness.

Form: 315250

(7)

Natural^h1¹⁰³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: George Wood| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 84

14/1

Beginning to look flattered by her second in listed company at Newbury last summer, and balance of form makes her look on a stiff mark, as she seemed to prove when well held on handicap bow at Chelmsford in June.

Form: 27-7220

Forecasts

Polybius (13/8), Zain Hana (3/1), Helvetian (7/1), Reputation (8/1), Airshow (12/1), Natural (14/1), The Daley Express (14/1), Watchable (14/1), Pearl Spectre (33/1)

ZAIN HANA has faced some stiff tasks in her career, but won well in handicap company at Nottingham last month, and should get back on track after flirting with listed fillies at Pontefract. Polybius is handicapped to win should he get away on terms, but he's on a losing run stretching back three years for a reason, so remains risky despite an excellent second at Yarmouth last time. Helvetian has been running better than recent form figures imply, and this C&D winner shouldn't be underestimated.