19:30 Kempton

Monday 28 October 2019

All16:2516:5517:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

32Red Handicap

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 1m 10.91s

(3)

Soldier's Minute^h¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 95| CD

11/8

Won over C&D and in competitive handicap at York in May. Largely below form since, but better than the result in Ayr Gold Cup on penultimate start, and drop in class may be just what's needed for this speedy sort.

Form: 100077

(7)

Major Valentine³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Kate Leahy⁽⁷⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 92| CD

33/1

Has won three times over C&D in much weaker handicaps, and enjoying an Indian summer with a hat-trick at favoured Chepstow this term. Grand sort, but well held last time, and all his wins have come in Class 4 or lower.

Form: 831110

(12)

Moon Trouble¹¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Appleby| OR: 91| D

25/1

Ex-French gelding who won at the fifth time of asking for his current yard when popping up at Chelmsford in June. Below form at Thirsk the following month, however, and not seen since.

Form: 668416

(5)

Mythmaker³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 90| CD

20/1

Won a conditions race over C&D last January, but doesn't seem the force of old this year, and while the handicapper has cut him some slack, others are preferred.

Form: 450-508

(10)

Polybius⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D M Simcock| OR: 89| CD

5/1

Caught the eye finishing well from a poor position at Newcastle last week. Can flatter to deceive, but 3-4 over track and trip, and all of those wins have come off this mark or higher, including in this contest 12 months ago.

Form: 665567

(8)

Jumira Bridge^t⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 89

12/1

Scored over 5f at Sandown in July, but a rather mixed back since, and he has a bit to prove after running well below his best at Bath last month.

Form: 404556

(6)

Count Otto^h³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: K Shoemark| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 88| CD

15/2

C&D winner who is consistent at this trip, and had excuses when failing to last home after showing up well over 7f at Newmarket last time. Place claims if bouncing back as expected.

Form: 622539

(4)

Beyond Equal⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Rob Hornby| T: W S Kittow| OR: 88| D

22/1

Won at Bath in June, but well below that form subsequently, and others bring much more pressing claims to the table.

Form: 405169

(1)

Firelight¹²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 88| BF| CD

7/1

One of a pair of 6f novice wins last year came over C&D, and respected on that form, but she has been underwhelming in three runs this year. Handicapper has given her a chance, though, and not without hope from inside berth.

Form: 448-304

(11)

Concierge^v⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Harry Bentley| T: George Scott| OR: 87| D

16/1

Winless this year after scoring four times as a juvenile, but has put up several decent displays, such as when second at Ascot last month. Hung badly last time, and wide draw not ideal with that in mind.

Form: 553735

(9)

Drummond Warrior⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: S W Kelly| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 87| BF| D

20/1

Ran a stinker last time, but that was too bad to be true, and his previous second at Newmarket saw him spilt a pair who have won four handicaps between them subsequently. Well treated on collateral form, and dangerous to dismiss.

Form: 1120

Non-Runners

(2)

Eljaddaaf¹⁹

Weight: 8-13| Age: 8

T: D K Ivory J: Joey Haynes

Forecasts

Soldier's Minute (11/8), Polybius (5/1), Firelight (7/1), Count Otto (15/2), Jumira Bridge (12/1), Concierge (16/1), Mythmaker (20/1), Drummond Warrior (20/1), Beyond Equal (22/1), Moon Trouble (25/1), Eljaddaaf (25/1), Major Valentine (33/1)

POLYBIUS can be a frustrating character, but he shows his best form here, and can repeat last year's win from a 4lb lower mark having caught the eye finishing best from a hopeless spot at Newcastle last time. Soldier's Minute probably needs things to go his way, but the drop in class gives him a chance to dominate, and he looks the main threat. Drummond Warrior has a bit to prove but is well handicapped based on the subsequent exploits of the pair he split at Newmarket on his penultimate start, and could progress again if forgiven a flop last time.