WWith the pre-Cheltenham Purdah fast approaching, Saturday’s Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton could be the most competitive betting heat for the next two and a half weeks and Emmet Mullins’ decision to field two runners in the 13-strong field adds another layer of complexity to the puzzle.
Mullins has a well-deserved reputation for sliding opponents into handicaps at Cheltenham and Aintree in highly competitive fashion, but his Kempton record – three wins from five runners – isn’t too shabby either.
Eight of those ten winners went away as favourites, so the money for Rising Dust – three of three over fences and with the champion jockey, Sean Bowen, booked to ride – or Chance Another One, a course-and-distance winner in November, would be significant.
As things stand, neither Rising Dust nor Chance Another One is a clear blemish on the handicap, and even the undefeated Rising Dust is making a big jump in class after moving up 11 pounds in the weights.
Several rivals have made very similar claims about the book, including last year’s fifteen-year-old winner Katate Dori and the ultra-consistent Hoe Joly Smoke, but neither is making as much of an appeal as the progressive six-year-old. Kdeux Saint Fray (3.35), around 7-1.
Kdeux Saint Fray was five lengths behind Jordans Cross at Cheltenham last month but finished with a run to the left after falling behind a tiring rival on a crucial stage. He only runs a pound higher and has plenty of room for improvement as he steps up to three miles for the first time.
Kempton 1.10: Grenadier Jed is both consistent and still progressive, setting a fair bar for the light racing favorite, Hold The Serve.
Lingfield 1.25: Robson Aguiar has made a strong start to his training career in Ireland and Brave power looks set to get him off target at the first attempt in Britain.
Kempton 1.45: Precious human being are still on the rise and could turn around form with Cheltenham’s One Horse Town in November.
Lingfield 2.00: by Karl Burke Boiling point has the most convincing profile by going to 10 furlongs for the first time.
Kempton 2.25: JaxJunior is progressing rapidly and has gained several pounds in this area.
Newcastle 2.43: It’s still early for that Dom Of Maria at the James Owen yard and this extreme test of endurance could get the best of him.
Kempton 3.00: Double measure has had a useful spell while successful at Huntingdon and looks ready for a second-tier company.
#Kdeux #Saint #Fray #put #dent #Emmet #Mullins #great #Kempton #record