19:00 Kempton

Wednesday 12 February 2020

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

32Red Handicap

Off time: 19:01 | Winning time: 1m 39.59s

(8)

Intrepidly²⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: K Shoemark| T: P Charalambous & J Clutterbuck| OR: 85| C

33/1

7f winner at this track almost four years ago. This represents his first start since May 2019 when he never threatened in the Hunt Cup at Thirsk (1m; good). Bits and pieces of form to his name which would give him a chance. Fitness to prove.

Form: 04/2920-

(5)

Harbour Breeze²⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: E J Walsh| T: L Wadham| OR: 85| C

7/1

Scored over 1m3f at this track in a higher grade back in May 2019. Things went slightly awry after that, and he was an eased down sixth of six at Doncaster (1m2f; good) in July when last seen. Makes seasonal reappearance with a point to prove.

Form: 011876-

(2)

Divine Messenger^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: Emma Owen| OR: 84| CD

10/3

5lb better off for one-length defeat to Candelisa when runner-up over C&D three weeks ago. Should make a bold bid to reverse those placings, and she can only improve on her second run back from a break.

Form: 63126-2

(1)

Candelisa^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽³⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 81| CD

13/8

More exposed than most, and not as well off with Divine Messenger after their recent meeting. Only had the four starts on the AW though, and should remain competitive after being given just a 4lb rise for recent C&D success.

Form: 20603-1

(3)

Itsakindamagic¹¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Liam Keniry| T: G Deacon| OR: 81| D

40/1

Went completely off the boil in two starts after making a winning seasonal return in 2019. Does have something to prove against in-form rivals after the way he ran at Windsor (1m; heavy) when last seen in October.

Form: 450/170-

(4)

Delicate Kiss^b¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Aled Beech⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Bridger| OR: 79| CD

7/1

Dual C&D winner who bounced back from poor showing here in January to regain the winning thread over C&D at the start of the month. Displayed a very willing attitude, and has only been raised 3lb by the handicapper.

Form: 1352-91

(6)

Lethal Missile²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: H Crouch| T: C G Cox| OR: 78| D

5/1

Progress in this sphere seems to have stalled, and he posted a rare below-par run when 12th of 14 over C&D last month when behind the likes of Candelisa. Something to prove after that, and he remains 5lbs above last winning mark.

Form: 1124-30

(7)

Sea Fox³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: C Lee| T: P D Evans| OR: 76| C| D

16/1

Failed to beat a single rival on either of his last two starts at Lingfield/Southwell (1m; standard). Subsequently back down to his last winning mark, but can't be fancied at all given his current form.

Form: 61180-6

Forecasts

Candelisa (13/8), Divine Messenger (10/3), Lethal Missile (5/1), Harbour Breeze (7/1), Delicate Kiss (7/1), Sea Fox (16/1), Intrepidly (33/1), Itsakindamagic (40/1)

This contest will likely be battled out between recent C&D rivals DIVINE MESSENGER and Candelisa. The former finished second to the latter when the pair met here recently, but he is expected to reverse those placings given he gets a 5lb pull in the weights for a one length defeat. As for the remainder of the field, Delicate Kiss is worth a mention given the way she knuckled down to win over C&D at the start of the month. The front pair drew just over two-length clear of the field that day so a 3lb rise seems more than fair. It is difficult to make a case for Lethal Missile given the way his progress seems to have stopped this winter.