19:45 Kempton

Friday 7 December 2018

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

32Red Handicap

Off time: 19:46 | Winning time: 1m 12.46s

(2)

Helvetian²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Scott McCullagh⁽⁷⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 90| CD

12/1

C&D winner in January has won once since at Salisbury three starts back. Midfield here next but disappointing latest when last of nine which gives him questions to answer now.

Form: 964159

(10)

Merlin²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: M Harley| T: M L W Bell| OR: 90| BF| D

12/1

Three-time turf winner last season made an encouraging return from a 358 day absence at Ripon but disappointed here as favourite next in a visor. That left off and often third time after layoff is the time to catch them so better expected.

Form: 1380-86

(6)

Watchable^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 90| D

5/1

Consistent sort has been collared late on over C&D and over 5f at Newcastle the last twice registering a pair of seconds. Gets another 2lb here to up the ante but in current form he will surely make another bold bid.

Form: 958622

(4)

Outrage^b¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: George Downing| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 89| C

11/2

All four wins over 5f including success last time out at Newcastle where he reeled in Watchable in the final strides. That rival now 2lb better off so very little between them here and despite his record he is as effective over 6f.

Form: 521261

(3)

Exchequer^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: F Norton| T: R C Guest| OR: 85| C

4/1

Gained second recent course 7f success latest when making all which is his customary style and he won easily in the end by 3L. All five career wins come over 7f however so less appealing here and lead not assured.

Form: 012901

(1)

Drakefell¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 83

6/1

Dual 5f AW scorer ran an excellent race latest over 6f at Lingfield when only beaten ¾L into third. Same mark here gives him another chance and certainly a leading contender with possibility of progression.

Form: 12-1993

(7)

Al Asef¹¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: L Morris| T: M Botti| OR: 82

12/1

Wolverhampton winner at two has only raced three times this year and failed to hit the heights. Returns here for first run since August so again likely to struggle.

Form: 361-440

(8)

Busby^p²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: David Probert| T: C Allen| OR: 76| CD

10/3

Wins at Chelmsford and over C&D followed by latest ½L third which saw him a short head behind Watchable. 1lb better off so every chance can reverse and seems to be on the up so has leading claims here.

Form: 794113

(9)

Secretinthepark^p⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Fahy| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 74| C| D

40/1

Gained first win in over three years at Newcastle penultimately but lesser effort at the same course next when 10th of 14. Not totally ruled out but others more consistent.

Form: 042310

Non-Runners

(5)

Me Too Nagasaki⁴²⁴

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: S C Williams J: Fran Berry

(11)

Kodiline²⁹

Weight: 8-10| Age: 4

T: P D Evans J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Busby (10/3), Exchequer (4/1), Watchable (5/1), Outrage (11/2), Drakefell (6/1), Kodiline (10/1), Me Too Nagasaki (10/1), Al Asef (12/1), Helvetian (12/1), Merlin (12/1), Secretinthepark (40/1)

A really tricky sprint handicap this and with very little between Watchable, Outrage and Busby on their recent clashes it may pay to avoid that form given it is so hard to split this trio and instead side with Richard Hannon's DRAKEFELLwho posted an improved effort latest. Of the aforementioned trio slight preference goes to Watchable ahead of Outrage.