19:00 Kempton

Wednesday 7 February 2024

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

Unibet Zero% Mission Handicap

Off time: 19:00 | Winning time: 1m 39.75s

(5)

Symbol Of Light³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 98| D

6/4

Lightly raced for his age, winning 3 of first 4 starts for Charlie Appleby. Produced another good effort for current yard when second of 12 in handicap at Newcastle (8f, 7/2) 37 days ago. Major player.

Form: 11/453-2

(1)

Aratus⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C G Cox| OR: 94| C

7/2

Course winner. Eleven runs since last win in 2021 but placed on 3 of his last 4 starts, third of 8 in handicap (11/4) at this course (7f) a week ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 3/027-23

(4)

Dragon Icon¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Cameron Noble| T: R Varian| OR: 93| C| D

9/1

Course winner. After 8 months off and in first-time hood, run best excused when eleventh of 12 in handicap at Lingfield (8f, 4/1) 18 days ago, left with lot to do. Worth another chance as he makes only his second handicap start.

Form: 1/15-0

(3)

Greatgadian²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R Varian| OR: 92| D

7/2

Latest win at Newcastle in October. Did well in circumstances when third of 13 in handicap at Southwell (7.1f, 7/1) 29 days ago, keeping on well having been switched early in straight. Respected back up in trip.

Form: 70142-3

(6)

Top Secret^h³²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 91| BF| CD

12/1

Three-time course winner, with latest success over C&D in December. Seemed unsuited by switch to front-running tactics when seventh of 8 in handicap (9/4) here 32 days ago. No surprise to see him get back on track.

Form: 82091-7

(2)

Rhythm N Rock¹⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: L Morris| T: J Butler| OR: 86| CD

16/1

C&D winner. Shaped as if still in good form when fifth of 10 in handicap (12/1) at this C&D in October, unable to sustain effort. Still looking for his first handicap success as he returns from 3 months off.

Form: 7/02925-

(7)

Sudden Ambush^t¹³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 85| D

22/1

Three wins from 9 runs last year. Not discredited when fourth of 8 in handicap at Newmarket (9f, good to firm, 9/2) when last seen in September. Needs to get back on the up as he makes his reappearance.

Form: 161254-

Forecasts

Symbol Of Light (6/4), Aratus (7/2), Greatgadian (7/2), Dragon Icon (9/1), Top Secret (12/1), Rhythm N Rock (16/1), Sudden Ambush (22/1)

SYMBOL OF LIGHT again ran well when second at Newcastle on New Year's Day (the winner and third both won on their next starts) and he looks ready to gain a first success since joining Julie Camacho. He can see off the challenge of Greatgadian, who isn't taken lightly in his current form, while Dragon Icon helps to give Roger Varian a strong hand in the race.