20:30 Kempton

Wednesday 26 February 2020

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

32Red.com Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 20:31 | Winning time: 1m 26.64s

(5)

Mount Wellington^h,t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Rob Hornby| T: S C Williams| OR: 67| D

9/2

Not one of his best efforts when third at Lingfield (6f; standard) in a five-runner affair recently, but he hasn't finished out of the frame in any of his previous five starts. Won off higher marks in the past and is respected.

Form: 01-2133

(6)

Champion Brogie¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: J S Moore| OR: 65| BF| CD

15/2

Finished third over C&D on each of his previous three starts. Back down to the mark he scored off here in early-December, and given his consistency he can be expected to feature prominently once again.

Form: 517-333

(4)

Bullington Boy^e/s²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Tim Clark| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 65

7/1

Produced another encouraging performance when second at Chelmsford (1m; standard) to make it three consecutive placed efforts. Going up in the weights for this good run of form though, and he is an eight-race maiden on the AW.

Form: 5093-32

(3)

Violet's Lads²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: J Mitchell| T: B R Johnson| OR: 63| CD

7/2

Not beaten far last time despite finishing sixth behind both Sonnet Rose and Kraka. Posted a solid effort the time before when runner-up at Lingfield (7f; standard), and she is a previous C&D winner. On the shortlist.

Form: 8514-26

(10)

Sonnet Rose^b,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: M Dwyer| T: C Allen| OR: 63| CD

16/1

Solid form in defeat on both starts so far this year, finishing a narrow second on each occasion. Has won over C&D in the past and, so she is a likeable filly who can make the frame once again.

Form: 0664-22

(9)

Onebaba^b¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A W Carroll| OR: 62

8/1

13-race maiden whose mark continues to drop. Never looked dangerous despite finishing fifth over C&D earlier this month, and he has work to do to reverse form with Scorched Breath who he finished almost five-length behind in a seller last month.

Form: 229-755

(7)

Kraka^v¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: A McCarthy| T: Mrs C A Dunnett| OR: 62

14/1

Looked to hold excellent claims over this C&D last time out, but got going too late in the day and could only finish fourth. Not finished out of the first four in his previous five starts and should be bang there again.

Form: 822434

(8)

Molly Mai¹¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: P J McBride| OR: 60| D

20/1

Her record on the AW (0-8) doesn't inspire much confidence, and she is making her return from a 117-day break. Fitness is just one of a number of factors she has to prove, which means she is an unattractive proposition.

Form: 444687-

(2)

The Groove²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: P D Evans| OR: 60| D

16/1

Gone off the boil recently, including last time out when he only managed to beat two rivals in a 10-runner affair at Chelmsford (7f; standard). 6lb below last winning mark but doesn't look like taking advantage of that, and so he is readily opposed.

Form: 355-368

(1)

Waitaki¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Sullivan| T: J G Given| OR: 59| CD

6/1

Recorded first success for this yard when she arrived with a late run to win going away over C&D recently. Raised 5lb but that is unlikely to stop her going close, and she should make a bold bid.

Form: 2-36351

Non-Runners

(11)

Scorched Breath¹¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: R Menzies J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Violet's Lads (7/2), Mount Wellington (9/2), Waitaki (6/1), Bullington Boy (7/1), Champion Brogie (15/2), Onebaba (8/1), Kraka (14/1), Sonnet Rose (16/1), The Groove (16/1), Molly Mai (20/1), Scorched Breath (20/1)

A difficult puzzle to solve in the finale. Of those towards head of the weights the consistent pair of Mount Wellington and Champion Brogie have to enter calculations. Similar comments apply to Bullington Boy though he doesn't look well-treated after going up 7lb in the weights for making the frame the last thrice. Sonnet Rose & Kraka are closely matched on the strength of their meeting at Chelmsford at the start of the month, and have claims. However, after she posted her best effort since joining James Given when winning over C&D in smooth fashion last time out, WAITAKI gets the vote. She can kick on from that off a 5lb higher mark and follow-up.