19:30 Kempton

Wednesday 6 March 2019

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

Matchbook VIP Handicap

Off time: 19:33 | Winning time: 1m 25.57s

(6)

Blame Culture¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: David Probert| T: G G Margarson| OR: 81| D

3/1

Progression looked to have plateaued out but found a bit more to score at Wolverhampton last time, despite pulling hard. 4lb rise for that neck win demands more, but possible he could find it.

Form: 46-1321

(4)

Master Diver¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 80| D

9/2

Steadily improving with each run and despite a slow start, ran well to finish second at Newcastle last time out. Might have his quirks but hard to knock what he's achieved to date, and may well have more to come. Drop back to 7f no issue.

Form: 5213

(2)

Global Tango⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 77

8/1

Useful as a 2yo but missed the while of 2018, so clearly has had issues. However, seems to have come back as good as ever and looks ready for a step up to 7f after two solid efforts at 6f, and has chances from a good draw.

Form: 4621/55

(9)

La Maquina^t¹⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Nicola Currie| T: George Baker| OR: 77WS

7/1

Not won one yet but has gone close in a couple of his six starts, and despite finishing midfield over C&D last time out, was beaten less than two lengths. Cheekpieces now removed and has had a wind operation, so may do better again.

Form: 42/4647-

(11)

Compas Scoobie¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S C Williams| OR: 77| C

16/1

Wins have come at 6f but looks ready for another crack at this trip after a staying-on third here last time out. However, not as open to progression as a few of these, so may need to pull out more.

Form: 5121-63

(1)

The Lamplighter^t⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: William Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: George Baker| OR: 75| BF| CD

11/2

C&D winner here last November but a bit disappointing he couldn't do better when dropped in grade when looking to follow up the time after. Has had a break, which may help, but needs to get back on track now.

Form: 220715-

(10)

In The Red^p⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: Martin Smith| OR: 75| CD

13/2

Has refound some form last two starts, C&D winner (in lower grade) in January and then lost nothing in defeat at Lingfield last week. May strip fitter for that too (first run after short break) and not ruled out despite poor draw here.

Form: 0020-12

(7)

Hammer Gun^v¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 73| D

14/1

Been around the block a bit and has fallen to a good mark now, but has had opportunities to score this winter at his favoured Southwell and not taken them. Not that hard to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: 3-42896

(5)

Fighting Temeraire⁴²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Rob Hornby| T: D K Ivory| OR: 72| D

20/1

Looked progressive as a 3/4yo but all downhill since then and has been off for well over a year. The fact connections are persisting suggests there's something to be had from him, but will surely need this run anyway.

Form: 04000/7-

(8)

The British Lion¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 70| D

33/1

Twice a winner for Mark Johnston but in truth, wasn't progressive and was picked up for 11,000 guineas at the sales in February. New yard will get a win or two out of him, but may need to come down a few pounds in the handicap first.

Form: 569-516

(3)

Until Midnight¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-9| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁷⁾| T: E Stanford| OR: 68| CD

50/1

Not seen much on a racecourse in the last two years, and hasn't beaten a horse home in last three starts. Hard to make much of a case for him other than a good jockey booking.

Form: 582/00-6

Forecasts

Blame Culture (3/1), Master Diver (9/2), The Lamplighter (11/2), In The Red (13/2), La Maquina (7/1), Global Tango (8/1), Hammer Gun (14/1), Compas Scoobie (16/1), Fighting Temeraire (20/1), The British Lion (33/1), Until Midnight (50/1)

IN THE RED has not fared that well with the draw but there's little in the way of early pace here and he might be able to get across to lead these. A winner here in January, he can continue in good form with victory here. Master Diver and Global Tango are both open to improvement and look obvious dangers, and La Maquina is one that's under the radar a bit, but has potential to do better now dropped back in trip.