19:15 Kempton

Saturday 2 March 2024

All15:5516:3017:0517:4018:1518:4519:15

Unibet Zero% Mission Handicap

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 3m 33.45s

(1)

Pop The Champagne^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 65| D

10/3

Fair hurdle winner. Lightly-raced maiden on Flat. After 11 weeks off, seventh of 12 in handicap (10/1) at Wolverhampton (14f) 28 days ago, plugging on. Needs to find more as she goes up in trip.

Form: 3568-7

(8)

Easter Icon²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Jack Enright⁽⁷⁾| T: G Brown| OR: 63| D

5/1

Three wins from 10 runs last year for Jack Channon. After 4 months off, produced a career best on his stable debut when making all in 8-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (14f, 5/4) 25 days ago. Can make a bold bid to follow up.

Form: 13517-1

(4)

Doublethetrouble⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 62

17/2

Remains a maiden after 21 Flat runs. Shaped as if amiss when seventh of 8 in handicap at Chelmsford City (2m, 10/3) 49 days ago, reported to have an irregular heartbeat. Capable of getting involved if able to bounce back from last time.

Form: 22226-7

(6)

Grandee²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & S Best| OR: 62| D

9/1

Has gone backwards from his return to action on his last 2 starts, 9 lengths sixth of 8 to Easter Icon in handicap at Wolverhampton (14f, 7/1) 25 days ago. Long time without a win in this sphere, but he lurks on a dangerous mark.

Form: 5335-86

(2)

Natacata^p¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Laura Pearson| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 60

9/4

Not discredited when fifth of 9 in handicap (12/1) at this C&D 10 days ago, making her move wide around the home turn. Remains a maiden, but she merits consideration having been eased further in the weights.

Form: 3694-25

(3)

Zivaniya^b,t1³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Ross Coakley| T: H Palmer| OR: 57

10/1

In first-time blinkers, fared little better when ninth of 10 in handicap (17/2) at this C&D 35 days ago. Tongue strap now also applied. Has something to find as he bids for his first victory.

Form: 65368-9

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 10p in the pound

Non-Runners

(7)

Escarpment¹⁷

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: M Appleby J: Alistair Rawlinson

(5)

Smart Champion¹⁰

Weight: 9-6| Age: 9

T: D M Simcock J: K Shoemark

Forecasts

Natacata (9/4), Pop The Champagne (10/3), Escarpment (7/2), Easter Icon (5/1), Doublethetrouble (17/2), Grandee (9/1), Zivaniya (10/1), Smart Champion (10/1)

EASTER ICON proved better than ever when winning decisively at Wolverhampton last month and he can score again as he makes only his second start for his current yard. Escarpment has got back on track on his last 2 starts and could be the main danger upped in trip in a change of headgear, with Natacata completing the shortlist.