16:10 Kempton

Friday 18 January 2019

All16:1016:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:45

racingtv.com Handicap

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 59.51s

(8)

Knockout Blow⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 62| CD

3/1

Sole win came over this C&D for Mark Johnston back in 2017 and not disgraced on last two starts for new yard. However back up in grade and more needed.

Form: 98067-3

(7)

Precious Plum^p,h⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Scott McCullagh⁽⁷⁾| T: C Wallis| OR: 61| D

16/1

Both wins came over this trip at Wolverhampton back in 2016. Missed whole of 2017 and then inconsistent last year. Well beaten on previous visit here and questions to answer on stable debut.

Form: 762958-

(1)

Toni's A Star¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Poppy Bridgwater⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 58| D

7/2

Hat-trick bid was foiled when unsuited by step back up to 6f last start. Drop back in trip will help but will find life tougher off revised mark and best AW form has come at Wolverhampton.

Form: 25211-9

(6)

Dandilion^t¹²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Joshua Bryan⁽³⁾| T: A M Hales| OR: 58| DWS

15/2

Not disgraced in much tougher company on last two starts in September and has now dropped 2lb below last winning mark. Likely to be involved on course debut and first run since wind surgery.

Form: 9/55366-

(5)

Spirit Power⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: E J Alston| OR: 58

5/2

Irish import and a maiden following 14 starts. Inconsistent in four runs to date for new yard and although drop in trip is in his favour, more is required.

Form: 4/000-58

(4)

Ask The Guru^v¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Kieren Fox| T: M J Attwater| OR: 51| CD

16/1

Twice a C&D winner and although now 4lb below last winning mark, losing run now stretches back to February and last two runs following a break have been well below par.

Form: 634786-

(3)

Sir Walter^p⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Robert Dodsworth⁽⁷⁾| T: E J Alston| OR: 45

8/1

10-race maiden who has shown little until a much improved performance when going close at Southwell. Needs to transfer form to this different surface but bred for speed and may now have more to offer.

Form: 90/98-03

(9)

Celerity^v¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Elisha Whittington⁽⁷⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 45

50/1

Remains a maiden after 57 starts and although her best AW has come at Wolverhampton, she was below par there last start. Easy to overlook.

Form: 80073-8

Non-Runners

(2)

Awsaaf⁸¹

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: M Wigham J: F Norton

(10)

Swendab³²

Weight: 9-4| Age: 11

T: J G M O'Shea J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Spirit Power (5/2), Knockout Blow (3/1), Toni's A Star (7/2), Dandilion (15/2), Sir Walter (8/1), Awsaaf (8/1), Ask The Guru (16/1), Precious Plum (16/1), Swendab (16/1), Celerity (50/1)

DANDILION wouldn't need to find much improvement down to this grade following wind surgery and looks the best handicapped runner in the contest. Sir Walter ran as though the penny had dropped last time and may be able to kick on now. There's not much depth elsewhere but Toni's A Star is at least in form and suited by a return to the minimum distance.