19:45 Kempton

Saturday 6 January 2024

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Unibet Zero% Mission Handicap

Off time: 19:53 | Winning time: 3m 34.00s

(10)

Citizen General^b³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Billy Loughnane| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 87

11/1

Five wins from 19 Flat runs, latest success at Pontefract in August. With headgear reapplied, back to form when fourth of 14 in handicap (40/1) at this C&D 31 days ago. Could still have more to offer at this trip.

Form: 451974-

(4)

Bascule²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: George Rooke| T: R Hughes| OR: 87| C

2/1

After 7 months off, needer stiffer test when fourth of 7 in handicap (7/1) at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 28 days ago. Could take a step forward from his recent run returned to this longer trip. Major player back down in grade.

Form: 024/384-

(2)

First Emperor^t¹³⁶

16/1

C&D winner. Three wins from 16 runs in 2023 but ended the season below form, eighth of 14 in handicap at York (16.2f, good to firm, 40/1) when last seen in August. Has had a wind op ahead of his return.

Form: 139708-

(9)

Moliwood⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Kyle Strydom| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 84| CD

9/1

C&D winner. After 13 months off, proved he retains his ability when 1¾ lengths second of 8 to True Courage in handicap (9/1) at Chelmsford City (13.3f) 58 days ago. One to consider with return to this longer trip to suit.

Form: 66400/2-

(1)

Sarsons Risk^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: D C Costello| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 83| D

7/2

Improved from his recent outing when winning 9-runner handicap at Southwell (16.5f, 9/1) 22 days ago, well on top finish. Not taken lightly now that he's back up and running.

Form: 12/6051-

(3)

The Thunderer^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Marco Ghiani| T: S C Williams| OR: 82| C

12/1

Course winner. After 12 weeks off, fifth of 7 in steadily-run handicap (28/1) at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 28 days ago. Needs to find more upped to 2m for the first time.

Form: 214855-

(11)

True Courage^v²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Dylan Hogan| T: M L W Bell| OR: 82| C

33/1

Course winner. Got his head back in front again at Chelmsford City (13.3f) in November, but failed to repeat that effort when last of 8 in handicap (15/2) at the same course (14f) 23 days ago. Bounce back called for.

Form: 9/40818-

(5)

Red Flyer⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: David Probert| T: K Jewell| OR: 82| C

9/1

Course winner. Again ran well when second of 12 in handicap (6/1) at this course (12f) when last seen in October, clear of rest. Enters calculations as he goes back up in distance.

Form: 350622-

(6)

Blow Your Horn^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 80| D

50/1

Completed a hat-trick over staying trips last summer but found things tougher on his next 3 starts. Little impact tried over hurdles to end 2023, seventh of 13 at Southwell (15.8f, soft, 25/1) 20 days ago.

Form: 111865

(12)

Glenister¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Brandon Wilkie⁽⁵⁾| T: T Lawes| OR: 79

16/1

First run since leaving Sir Mark Prescott Bt when creditable third of 13 in handicap at this course (12f, 22/1) 17 days ago. Can give his running again having his first try at this distance.

Form: 121273-

(7)

Indigo Times⁵³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: William Cox| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 77| CD

150/1

C&D winner. Seven wins from 23 Flat runs. Had only the 3 starts back in 2022, returning to form when second of 4 in handicap at Newmarket (14f, good to firm. 9/1) in July that year. However, he's been off for 17 months since.

Form: 127662/

(8)

Planet Legend^b1⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 75| D

6/1

Dual winner over hurdles since last seen on the Flat back in October 2022. Failed to come on for recent outing when seventh of 12 in handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (15.8f, good, 16/1) 42 days ago. Blinkers on 1st time.

Form: 223224/

Forecasts

Bascule (2/1), Sarsons Risk (7/2), Planet Legend (6/1), Red Flyer (9/1), Moliwood (9/1), Citizen General (11/1), The Thunderer (12/1), First Emperor (16/1), Glenister (16/1), True Courage (33/1), Blow Your Horn (50/1), Indigo Times (150/1)

After 7 months off, BASCULE needed the emphasis more on stamina when fourth at Wolverhampton in December, so he could be ready to return to winning ways with this step back up in trip to suit. Heading the list of dangers is Sarsons Risk, who stepped up on his recent form when scoring at Southwell last time, with Red Flyer completing the shortlist.