18:00 Kempton

Wednesday 6 March 2019

All16:5517:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Matchbook Casino Novice Stakes (Div 1)

Off time: 18:04 | Winning time: 1m 40.55s

(5)

Roma Bangkok¹⁸⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M Botti| D

15/8

Belied 33-1 price tag to score at Chelmsford on debut last August, winning with a bit in hand. Likely to progress again this year and taken seriously despite the penalty here.

Form: 1-

(10)

Moongazer³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: R Kingscote| T: C Hills

25/1

Well-backed winner on debut at Lingfield in January, first two clear and second has run to form since, so it looks solid. Upped to a mile here, which will help, and has chances of the follow up.

Form: 1

(3)

Achaeus⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Josephine Gordon| T: E A L Dunlop

50/1

Looked very much in need of both outings last season, as befits his pedigree which suggests we won't see the best of him until going up to middle distances (has Derby entry, which looks optimistic). Best watched today.

Form: 54-

(8)

Ardimento³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: B R Millman

40/1

Brother to the yard's useful handicapper Sir Roderic, has shown ability in two starts so far but needs this for a mark. Will be of far more interest then. One to keep an eye on tonight.

Form: 54

(1)

Ironclad

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: H Palmer

10/11

Bred to be decent, half-brother to winners Mirage Dancer (winner from 7f-1m4f) and the useful Radiator, trip fine on debut and yard can have them ready first time up. Lack of any big entries slightly offputting but may still be good enough anyway.

Form:

(6)

Lumination

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rob Hornby| T: M Meade

16/1

Bred to have a bit of speed about him, half-brother to useful handicapper Pea Shooter. Might need this outing and this trip may be as far as he wants. Best watched.

Form:

(4)

Oliver Hardy^t1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Raul Da Silva| T: P & O Cole

33/1

Has run to a modest level both starts, makes only minimal appeal on breeding and now tongue-tied (and has had a wind operation) for third start. Others readily preferred.

Form: 7-4

(7)

Poor Auld Paddy²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: D R C Elsworth

50/1

Likely to want much further in time, outpaced on debut here last month but penny was dropping late and he ran on nicely enough for tender handling. Will improve but needs an awful lot more to get involved.

Form: 7

(11)

Swiss Cheer¹⁸⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: J G Portman

66/1

Trainer knows the family well, should improve this year but not a lot to be taken from his debut at Sandown last August and 66-1 odds suggested not much was expected either.

Form: 8-

(9)

I'm Available¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| BF

6/1

Full sister to Ocala, who showed ability at 3, and she too has shown she's capable of winning races base don her good second at Lingfield last time out. This track may suit better too, and she looks one of the main contenders.

Form: 42

Non-Runners

(12)

Honey Bear¹⁵

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: C & M Johnston J: Non Runner

(2)

Sweet Poem³²

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: H Crouch

Forecasts

Ironclad (10/11), Roma Bangkok (15/8), I'm Available (6/1), Lumination (16/1), Moongazer (25/1), Honey Bear (25/1), Oliver Hardy (33/1), Ardimento (40/1), Poor Auld Paddy (50/1), Achaeus (50/1), Sweet Poem (50/1), Swiss Cheer (66/1)

There's no Group entries for the well-bred IRONCLAD, which tempers enthusiasm for him a bit, but he's bred to be decent and may still prove too good for the two winners in the field, Roma Bangkok and Moongazer. Both made a good impression when successful and preference of that pair is just for Moongazer, who will come on plenty for her Lingfield debut. I'm Available is the other that makes some appeal.