15:05 Kempton

Friday 27 December 2019

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:35

Ladbrokes 'Where The Nation Plays' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 6m 10.9s

Speredek^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C Gethings| T: N J Hawke| OR: 145WS

25/1

Hasn't won in nearly two years and well out of form in two starts this season, including latest 32L defeat at Ascot (2m1f). Well-beaten on sole try over 3m. Front-runner is probably best watched.

Form: 24F6-67

Belami Des Pictons⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 145| D

2/1

Hampered by injuries over the past two years but has shown fair form of ability, including when fourth in BetVictor Gold Cup last time out. Dropped 1lb since and getting respite in the weights. Considered.

Form: 1112/P-4

Cobra De Mai¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: William Marshall⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 145

33/1

Last win came at Cheltenham (3m2f) in April but in and out this season, including when pulling up at that track (3m1f) on latest start. Vulnerable in the handicap at the moment.

Form: 514-P9P

Bigmartre⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 145| C

11/1

Ended last season with handicap chase success but not in the same form since, including 24L sixth in Aintree handicap chase (2m4f). Tries this trip for first time but needs to regain his spark.

Form: 3001-56

Highway One O One²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J E Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 143| C

7/1

Best effort so far this season came when second on seasonal reappearance at Fontwell (2m3f) but not as good the last twice, including 11L fourth at Newbury (2m6f) last time. Dropped 1lb but career-best required.

Form: 203-2U4

Sametegal^t²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 141

13/2

Smart horse whose had career blighted by setbacks but showed he still has good heart when second on comeback effort at Newbury (2m6f) last month. Respected if at the same level again.

Form: 12338/2

Princeton Royale²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 140| D

50/1

Last win came at Ascot in March but out of sorts since, including when sixth of 7 at Exeter (2m3f) this month. Up in trip with plenty to prove.

Form: 4412-86

Deauville Dancer^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: David Dennis| OR: 135| C

14/1

Last win came at Wincanton in March but took the eye when snatching second on seasonal comeback at Exeter (2m3f) earlier this month. Trip should suit and holds solid place claims.

Form: 64312-2

Quarenta¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 135| D

7/1

Improving through the weights last season and progression didn't seemingly stop when 7L winner at Fontwell (3m2f) on latest start. Treated lightly with 2lb rise and holds solid claims.

Form: 1612-41

Just A Sting^p⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 134| BF| D

9/2

Second in this race last year but form tailed off in two starts afterwards. Made a fine return to action when 7L fourth at Wincanton (3m1f) in November. Place claims if going forward on that.

Form: 1120P-4

Vivas^b,t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 133

33/1

Made perfect seasonal return when winning at Warwick (2m4f) but finding life tougher off higher mark, including fifth of 10 over 2m4f here last time out. Best watched up in trip and in deeper company.

Form: 537-155

Non-Runners

Fingerontheswitch²²

Weight: 10-3| Age: 9

T: N P Mulholland J: Millie Wonnacott

Forecasts

Belami Des Pictons (2/1), Just A Sting (9/2), Sametegal (13/2), Quarenta (7/1), Highway One O One (7/1), Bigmartre (11/1), Deauville Dancer (14/1), Fingerontheswitch (16/1), Speredek (25/1), Cobra De Mai (33/1), Vivas (33/1), Princeton Royale (50/1)

QUARENTA is progressing rapidly through the ranks and produced a performance that suggested he could take high order in this company at Fontwell last time out. He looks to have control over the handicapper at this stage with the light rise and remains unexposed. On the other hand, the veteran Sametegal is a fragile, yet classy, individual who showed he was still in good heart at Newbury last time. That run shouldn't be dismissed at all while the same can be applied to Belami Des Pictons. Just A Sting must be considered too, given his aptitude for C&D last year plus his encouraging seasonal reappearance in a hot-looking race.