19:00 Kempton

Monday 18 September 2023

All16:5217:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Try Unibet's New Acca Boosts Handicap

Off time: 19:01 | Winning time: 3m 30.58s

(6)

Mountain Road⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D M Simcock| OR: 82| BF| D

5/2

Hasn't gone on from his reappearance, latest when fifth of 8 in handicap (11/4) at this C&D 9 days ago. Mark continues to ease and he will be a danger to all if he puts his best foot forward.

Form: 11-4605

(8)

Nuits St Georges¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D Menuisier| OR: 82| D

40/1

Did too much too soon after a further 8 weeks off when last of 13 in handicap (66/1) at Newcastle (12.4f) 18 days ago. Up in trip. Has plenty to prove now, but given a chance by the handicapper and boasts an eye-catching jockey booking, so is worth a second glance in the betting.

Form: 8600-70

(7)

Study The Stars¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: N Callan| T: George Baker| OR: 80| C

4/1

Returned from 11 months off at the top of his game when winning 6-runner handicap at this course (12f, 6/1) 10 days ago, having run of race. High on the shortlist bidding for a hat-trick bid if seeing out this longer trip.

Form: 21751-1

(5)

Green Team^p²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: David Egan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 80

20/1

Thirteen runs since last win in 2021. Thirteenth of 14 in handicap (25/1) at York (16.2f, good to firm) 26 days ago. Makes polytrack debut. Tough to support on recent evidence but this is a significant drop in class.

Form: 077030

(2)

Pons Aelius¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 80| CD

7/2

Successful 4 times during a busy 2022 (including over C&D) and resumed winning ways at Goodwood (good to firm) in June. Rare below-par effort at latter track just under a fortnight ago and he's just the type to bounce back quickly.

Form: 221457

(1)

Charles St^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Hollie Doyle| T: F O'Brien| OR: 76

17/2

Seriously expensive to follow over hurdles for this stable and was below form making his first start on the Flat for his current yard after 4 months off at Salisbury (14.2f, soft) recently. Easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 24232-5

(4)

Sky Power⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: R Stephens| OR: 69

40/1

Pretty useful at his best for Ralph Beckett but went wrong way for that yard last season and has failed to beat a rival on both starts for his current handler, latest over C&D just under 6 weeks ago. Others preferred.

Form: 9600-07

(3)

Hedonista³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E Walker| OR: 72

7/2

Winner at Newcastle in May. Resumed progress upped markedly in trip and back on all-weather when fourth of 13 in handicap at this C&D (14/1) 5 weeks ago. Solid each-way claims.

Form: 21304

Forecasts

Mountain Road (5/2), Hedonista (7/2), Pons Aelius (7/2), Study The Stars (4/1), Charles St (17/2), Green Team (20/1), Sky Power (40/1), Nuits St Georges (40/1)

A few in with a squeak but PONS AELIUS thrives on his racing so Charlie Johnston's 4-y-o is fancied to put a rare below-par effort at Goodwood behind him and notch a sixth career success. The hat-trick seeking Study The Stars and sole filly in the line-up Hedonista could be the ones to give him most to think about.