13:15 Kempton

Saturday 22 February 2025

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Ladbrokes 'Big-Value You Can Bet On' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 24.6s

Pyramid Place^h⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Lewis Saunders⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 136| CD

22/1

Landed an eighth handicap hurdle success of his career when seeing off 3 rivals over C&D in November but found out off this mark in a more competitive race at Doncaster in December. First outing for 10 weeks.

Form: 0-17416

Doyen Quest²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134

7/2

Improved again when landing a 3m Cheltenham handicap in November but twice found out off a mark in the mid-130s since. Needs to resume his progression now dropping back in trip.

Form: 11-2146

Samarrive⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| C

20/1

Had some good handicap hurdle form earlier in his career but well held in handicap chase/hurdle at Ascot since returning from a year off. Something to prove at present.

Form: 333/2-40

Punctuation^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 131

8/1

Five-time hurdle winner for Fergal O'Brien and ended his time with that yard with victory in 2m Flat handicap at Goodwood last May. Started out for Nicky Henderson with a respectable fourth of 7 in Doncaster handicap hurdle last month and he's entitled to come on for the run.

Form: P1/855-4

Stoner's Choice^t,p³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Fern O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130| CD

10/1

Successful over fences and hurdles at Kempton in 2022/23. Second over C&D and fourth at Ascot on his first 2 starts back after a long absence but needs to shrug off a below-par run back at Ascot last month.

Form: 321/247

Court In The Act³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 126| C

11/2

Justified strong market support in 2m Market Rasen handicap on reappearance in October, making all. Flopped when unable to dominate a much stronger race at Windsor 3 months later but his yard was quiet at the time and is going better now. Respected up in trip.

Form: 2129-10

Tapley⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 123| C

12/1

Took advantage of a drop in class at Plumpton (2m, soft) in October. Failed to really convince over fences towards the end of 2024 but may fare better back hurdling.

Form: 218645

Saint Anapolino¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 123

5/1

Going the right way, getting off the mark in Exeter maiden last month and following up in Taunton handicap (2m, soft) 18 days ago. Found extra when tackled on the run-in at the latter and could have more to come, particularly now up in trip.

Form: 52-2311

Monviel²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Burke| T: Harry Derham| OR: 123

40/1

In good form last spring but has struggled for form so far this winter. Given a chance by the handicapper as a result but hard to be confident about.

Form: 3U-2870

Kamaxos³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: James Davies| T: R A Teal| OR: 119| D

20/1

Dual hurdle winner but has yet to fire this season, fifth and beaten when falling last at Newbury (2m, good to soft) last month. Back up in trip.

Form: 143-P9F

Malaita³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 118| D

12/1

Dual chase winner who ran with credit back hurdling when third of 10 in 25f Huntingdon handicap last month. Saw out that longer trip thoroughly but has done most of her racing around 2½m so the return to shorter shouldn't pose a problem.

Form: 1-63273

Gold For Alec³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 117| D

5/1

The form of his Chepstow third over Christmas has worked out well and he resumed winning ways when stepped up just short of 21f at Huntingdon last month. Raised 9 lb but still high on the shortlist here.

Form: 44-2131

Forecasts

Doyen Quest (7/2), Saint Anapolino (5/1), Gold For Alec (5/1), Court In The Act (11/2), Punctuation (8/1), Stoner's Choice (10/1), Tapley (12/1), Malaita (12/1), Kamaxos (20/1), Samarrive (20/1), Pyramid Place (22/1), Monviel (40/1)

SAINT ANAPOLINO has hinted at temperament but there was plenty to like about the way he knuckled down at Taunton last time and this lightly-raced 6-y-o could easily have more to offer. Gold For Alec is another who is going the right way and is second choice ahead of Court In The Act, who can leave last month's Windsor run behind.