We are lucky to have some cracking races at Kempton on Saturday where some Cheltenham candidates are having their final prep runs before the Festival in March. We will look at three of the graded races in this article.
13.50 pm Ladbrokes Pendil Novice Chase Grade 2 2m 4f
Heading the entries for this is Jingko Blue, this 6yo was an early faller last weekend after the gelding took a keen hold and sprawled on landing at the 3rd fence at Kempton. Many say he would have won that race doing handstands but the aim of the game is jumping and he didn’t do that. His trainer Nicky Henderson has said he will either go for the race or have a racecourse gallop but he is unsure what route to go down at the festival at the moment. If his trainer opts for this race it’s certain that Nico de Boinville will take the steering.
The second entry is Rubaud for Paul Nicholls, this 7yo gelding was down the field when falling on his debut over the larger obstacles but that was against Ballyburn and Sir Gino. He ran a much more promising race at Warwick next time in the Kingmaker chasing home L’Eau du Sud where he only got beat a length, this race is half a mile further but on a flat course which shouldn’t be a problem.
The last of the noticeable entry is Imperial Saint trained by Phillip Hobbs & J White, this 7yo gelding has a real liking for Aintree. He won two handicap races over 2m in October and November before stepping up to 2m 4f on Boxing Day and winning again. This track is flat as well but is right handed so will it be a problem for him.
Betting for the race (Ante Post Rules Apply):
Betting Sites No ID Verification UK: Jingko Blue 6/4, Rubaud 9/4, Imperial Saint 11/4, Ashdale Bob 7/1, Boombawn 9/1 and its 12/1 bar.
Best Non UK Casino Sites: Jingko Blue 11/8, Rubaud 5/2, Imperial Saint 11/4, Ashdale Bob 7/1, Boombawn 9/1 and its 12/1 bar.
14.25pm Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle Grade 2 over 2m
Heading the entries is Lulamba trained by Nicky Henderson, this 4yo gelding is current favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March after making a winning British debut at Ascot last month. He beat a reopposing rival Mondo Man here by 3 ½ lengths where he was shaken up to lead approaching the last to go away in the latter stages.
The horse that chased him home was Mondo Man for Gary & Josh Moore, this 4yo gelding was getting 10lbs from Lulamba but he pulled extremely hard so getting beat by only that distance was an achievement. He will be a different proposition if Caoilin Quinn gets him to settle, connections will hope to win this race en route to the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The last entry we will look at is Palladium who is also trained by Nicky Henderson, this 4yo gelding won the German Derby before being purchased by Lady Bamford. He won his maiden hurdle at Huntingdon by two lengths having been weak in the market, the second Wolf Moon won at Southwell last week but we are yet to see the full potential of this German recruit. He is expected to go to Cheltenham after this race.
Betting for this race (Ante Post Rules Apply):
UK Casinos Not on Gamban: Mondo Man 4/5, Lulamba 6/4, Palladium 4/1, Opec 8/1, St Pancras 12/1 and its 14/1 bar.
15.00pm Ladbrokes Dovecote Novice Hurdle Grade 2 over 2m
Heading the entries for this event is Miami Magic trained by Stuart Edmunds, this 6yo gelding was last seen chasing home Potters Charm at Aintree on Boxing Day. The visibility was bad from the fog but he was short of room just after 3 out which stopped his momentum, but he only got beat 2 ¼ lengths that day. The winner was a beaten favourite next time at Cheltenham but it’s the strongest bit of form in this race.
The next one to look at is Tripoli Flyer for Fergal O’Brien, this 6yo gelding arrives here on the back of winning a Class 2 novice hurdle at Musselburgh at the beginning of the month. He won that readily by 11 lengths so is certainly progressing but he will need to give the previously mentioned horse 3lb.
The last one for us to look at is Celtic Dino for Sam Thomas, this 6yo gelding won a 16k race at Ascot in November before getting beat in a Grade 1 at Aintree on Boxing Day. He needs to make up nine lengths on that line of form with Miami Magic and also giving him 3lb, this will be a hard task but he has a chance.
Betting for this race (Ante Post Rules Apply):
USA Casinos For UK Players: Miami Magic 11/8, Tripoli Flyer 3/1, Celtic Dino 4/1, Starcrossed Lover 6/1, Roysse 6/1 and its 9/1 bar.
We wish you the best of luck with your predictions.
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