15:15 Kempton

Saturday 11 January 2020

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:45

Try Unibet New Uniboosts Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 6m 5.20s

On The Blind Side^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 147| BF| CD

15/8

Has some very good form to his name but equally is hard to win with, and often finds little for pressure; his C&D win here last January reads really well and it was a good effort on the face of it at Ascot last time; hard to discount.

Form: 1P2-4P2

Mellow Ben¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 141

7/1

Won back-to-back chases in the autumn and looked progressive, but has stalled somewhat since then and he still looks a few pounds too high in the handicap. Possible this step up in trip will help, but others preferred.

Form: 821147

King Of Realms^v⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryony Frost| T: Ian Williams| OR: 139| D

7/1

Winner of two of his five chase starts to date, and has a ready excuse for latest poor effort as he would have found the ground too soft; this mark leaves little room for error but jumps soundly, which will hold him in good stead, and not ruled out.

Form: 0/1421-0

Touch Kick^t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| D

5/1

Not the most consistent around but useful when he puts it all together, as he did at Fakenham back in October; not so good last time at Aintree but dryer underfoot conditions here would help, and if he fancies it, has chances in an open event.

Form: 319P-16

Walt^p,t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 138| CD

7/1

Tends to pop up at big prices when least expected, and took a Grade 3 handicap here from 4lb lower last spring; consistency never been his strong point though, and only he knows when he's going to win again; ability is there but risky.

Form: P6-6519

Minellacelebration³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 137| DWS

33/1

Winner of back-to-back handicaps in the summer and after a few moderate efforts, now only 2lb higher than last win; possible Aintree's fences didn't suit him in the Becher last time, and this may be more suitable, but does need to refind form now.

Form: 6/1-1U60

War Sound^p,t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135

9/1

Another that looks well handicapped on the best of his form but almost always makes a mistake or two in his races, which usually proves costly; not a bad effort at Ascot last time all the same, and he will win another when it all comes together.

Form: 080-P75

Fingerontheswitch^p³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-1| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 122| D

15/2

Generally consistent and still reasonably handicapped on his Worcester win last summer; has run bang to form last three starts and has his ideal conditions again, and unlucky to bump into a well-handicapped one at Wincanton last time; solid chance.

Form: 353322

Forecasts

On The Blind Side (15/8), Touch Kick (5/1), King Of Realms (7/1), Mellow Ben (7/1), Walt (7/1), Fingerontheswitch (15/2), War Sound (9/1), Minellacelebration (33/1)

On The Blind Side is the class act of the field and may will expect him to bounce back from his Ascot effort, which wasn't that bad in any case, but he doesn't always jump fluently and may be short enough in the market. FINGERONTHESWITCH caught a tartar at Wincanton last time but this field look a lot more exposed, and he can gain a deserved first win of the season. His stablemate Walt has some good form to his name here too, and might throw down the biggest threat. War Sound would be interesting if he can put a clear round in, which isn't guaranteed. Touch Kick might find conditions a bit on the slow side.