18:00 Kempton

Wednesday 23 February 2022

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

Unibet Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 18:03 | Winning time: 1m 26.30s

(7)

Thapa VC²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Rob Hornby| T: M G Rimell| OR: 72| D

11/8

Low-mileage 4-y-o who did well to dead heat in a messy affair at Wolverhampton (7f) 23 days ago, quickening up well. Has to merit respect again from 1 lb higher mark in hat-trick bid.

Form: 12/82-11

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(9)

Album³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: S M Levey| T: L Carter| OR: 70

33/1

Landed back-to-back 6f handicaps on AW last winter. Yet to get his head in front for present stable though, well held last of 12 in a C&D handicap last month. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 78395-0

(3)

Run Forrest Run⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: T E Whelan| T: George Baker| OR: 70| D

11/2

Dual winner of 7f Brighton handicaps last summer. Mixed bag in handful of starts since but shaped as if back in form when close-up fifth at Lingfield (7f) in January. Each-way claims.

Form: 51307-5

(6)

Rajmeister^h¹⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Hayley Turner| T: Tom Clover| OR: 69| BF

9/1

Lightly-raced maiden who shaped better than previously when 4 lengths third of 7 in a C&D handicap in August. Absent since disappointing back here in September and market may prove best guide.

Form: 83630-

(4)

Port Noir^t¹²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Marco Ghiani| T: R Stephens| OR: 69| D

7/1

Latest win at Wolverhampton (7f) in September. 22/1, posted career-best effort in defeat back at that venue when last seen in October and no forlorn hope here with good draw to work from.

Form: 430152-

(5)

Light Lily¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Butler| OR: 67| D

8/1

Latest win at Southwell (7f) in January. Bit below form sixth of 10 in handicap back there (7.1f, 10/1) 15 days ago, weakening final 1f. Still, bounce back not ruled out.

Form: 2614-16

(1)

Soyounique^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Luke Catton⁽⁷⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 64| D

7/1

Latest win at Lingfield (7f) in January. Good third of 11 in handicap back at that venue (6f) 11 days ago, showing good speed at the shorter trip. Rates a likely player back at 7f.

Form: 771333

(2)

Monaajez¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 63

25/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Creditable fifth of 9 in handicap at this C&D (10/1) 18 days ago, no extra final 1f. Others preferred.

Form: 96-35

(8)

Fly The Nest³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Watson| T: A W Carroll| OR: 61| C

16/1

Course winner. 20/1, seventh of 9 in handicap at Lingfield (1m) 39 days ago, headed around 1f out and no extra. Has fallen below last winning mark but others arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 45669-7

Forecasts

Thapa VC (11/8), Run Forrest Run (11/2), Soyounique (7/1), Port Noir (7/1), Light Lily (8/1), Rajmeister (9/1), Fly The Nest (16/1), Monaajez (25/1), Album (33/1)

A low-mileage 4-y-o, THAPA VC did well to force a dead-heat in a messy race at Wolverhampton (7f) 23 days ago, notably quickening up well. From a 1 lb higher mark, he looks sure to go well again in his bid to land the hat-trick. Soyounique arrives in good order himself and is feared, whilst Rajmeister is not one to write off back from a break.