19:15 Kempton

Wednesday 21 August 2019

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

32Red Handicap

Off time: 19:20 | Winning time: 1m 39.33s

(6)

Family Fortunes¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Scott McCullagh⁽⁵⁾| T: M Madgwick| OR: 88| CD

25/1

Goes well here and no issues at all with the trip (already a dual C&D winner and also won on Kempton debut (over 6f) as a juvenile); still 3lb above his last winning mark but can better recent turf form now he's back at his favourite course.

Form: 129385

(1)

Al Jellaby^h²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 87| D

5/1

Last two starts have been a return to form and, while he's not particularly well handicapped, he does seem to be sharper after a short break. Ran well on his only previous attempt over C&D so lots going for him. Dangerous to rule out.

Form: 533742

(7)

Freerolling³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: David Probert| T: C Fellowes| OR: 85| BF

7/2

Wasn't beaten far from this mark on handicap debut when tried over 1m2f in July; well backed that day and looks to be going the right way. The step back in trip can help and no surprise to see another bold bid.

Form: 1333

(9)

Pesto²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 90

16/1

Won on his final start as a juvenile and followed it up when he returned with a win on his handicap debut, which was over 7f (good to soft) at Sandown in June. Held twice since and now a bit to prove from a stiff mark on AW introduction.

Form: 841-165

(2)

Kuwait Currency^t¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 89| D

8/1

Won a Listed race at Salisbury a year ago and went on to try his hand in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. Well beaten there and sights lowered considerably since; has a bit to prove on AW debut despite racing from lowest career mark.

Form: 760455

(12)

Felix The Poet^b²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 88

20/1

Possible he didn't handle the track with a poor showing at Chester last time out; but had previously run well on the Polytrack at Chelmsford. Rated 3lb higher on the AW than his turf assessment and interesting on Kempton debut. Wide draw a negative.

Form: 81-4527

(10)

Alfurat River²⁹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 88| BF

2/1

Won a 7f maiden at Redcar towards the back-end of last season but not seen out since a failed attempt at following up over a mile at Doncaster last October. Fitness to prove but run well on Polytrack before and yard going well lately so respected.

Form: 3215-

(5)

Leader Writer^p⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: G Mosse| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 81| D

8/1

Three-time Listed race winner in France but career in Britain has been mixed for a while now. May's debut run for David Elsworth was promising but he's unperformed twice since, so risk attached in spite of the career lowest mark.

Form: 099-350

(8)

He's Amazing¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: H Crouch| T: E Walker| OR: 80

14/1

Won on debut for his current trainer in April but held off higher marks since. Now back to where he was when he started for the Walker yard but not yet raced on a synthetic surface; both previous wins were over a 2f longer trip. Has a bit to prove.

Form: 9-1P765

(11)

In The Red^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: E J Walsh| T: Martin Smith| OR: 79| CD

40/1

C&D winner in January and held his form well during springtime; made most to win at Lingfield on his final start in March but only raced once since. Probably needed it when last of 17 in 1m1f handicap at Goodwood earlier this month. Plenty to find.

Form: 0-12310

(3)

Harbour Spirit¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 85| CD

10/1

Won well over C&D in July but went up 7lb and was well held at Goodwood last time out (In The Red was last). Has also won on a Polytrack surface in France but a career best is now required.

Form: 1-40410

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 25p in the pound

Non-Runners

(4)

Mawakib⁵³

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: R Varian J: David Egan

Forecasts

Alfurat River (2/1), Freerolling (7/2), Mawakib (7/2), Al Jellaby (5/1), Kuwait Currency (8/1), Leader Writer (8/1), Harbour Spirit (10/1), He's Amazing (14/1), Pesto (16/1), Felix The Poet (20/1), Family Fortunes (25/1), In The Red (40/1)

Several hold reasonable claims and the likes of Al Jellaby, Family Fortunes, and Alfurat River all merit serious consideration if they attract interest in the betting market. However, the step up to mile can be expected to bring about some improvement from MAWAKIB, who showed his best form yet when winning over 7f here in June and he might well have been freshened up by his short break since a near miss at Chester the same month. His proven ability to handle this track is a persuasive factor. Felix The Poet can also go close if he can overcome his wide berth in the stalls.