Kempton selections Friday 26th December
The Boxing day programme is the busiest on the calendar these days, but attention is centred on Kempton Park which stages the feature event, the King George Chase. This year’s line up looks particularly strong, but it is difficult to look past the two Closutton raiders who fought out such a good finish at Punchestown last month. On a strong card I am staying at the London venue for all of today’s selections. Scarface (advised 16/1) and Johnnywho (advised 13/2) were both placed for the each-way bets on Saturday.
Kempton 12.45: U Cant Be Serious
The Kempton card starts with a particularly difficult puzzle given the unexposed nature of the chasers on view. However it is one of the more experienced runners in U CANT BE SERIOUS that gets the vote.
This horse has to go right-handed as he does jump very much to his right, though fluently. As such this looks an obvious venue for him and in Harry Cobden has a tactically aware jockey who is likely to get him lined up against the rail. This horse has made a perfect start to his chasing career with back to back wins at Exeter, the last a very game effort having been headed by the strong travelling Donnacha in the straight before battling back to the front on the run-in.
He is creeping up the ratings as a result, but he can put that recent experience to good use. He should have no issue with the drying ground as he was an impressive winner over hurdles at Taunton at this time last year on similar going, also proving he is just an adept on a sharp track as he is an undulating one like Exeter.
Kempton 1.55: Celtic Dino
Given the doubts about favourite Sir Gino, due to his long absence, and the fact that Golden Ace has taken advantage of others errors to land two Grade 1’s, there could be some value to be had about CELTIC DINO, given conditions will fall just right for Sam Thomas’ gelding.
A solid novice last season, he produced one of the better handicap performances of the year, albeit in defeat when he overcame almost being brought down on the bend at Aintree to finish third at the National meeting in April, on his favoured good going. He then landed the Welsh Champion Hurdle on his return to the track in October, form that has been hugely franked since, as the runner-up Alexei went on to land valuable handicaps at Ascot and Cheltenham the following month.
Celtic Dino was defeated by Stayers Hurdle hope Wodhooh at Ascot last time, but the extra distance was not in his favour, nor the rain softened ground. This is essentially a pace horse who will be at home on good going and a sharp track and he will only need one of the two favourites to underperform to make an each-way profit – and there are enough reasons to think both could be below their best today.
Kempton 2.30: Gaelic Warrior
A strong line up for the King George, but to me the two Mullins runners stand out from the rest and with the race likely to set up to suit, GAELIC WARRIOR looks the one to be on.
He was put in his place twice over 2m last season, although both were at Leopardstown, a venue he has never excelled at. Stepped up to 3m at Aintree, he responded with arguably a career best to defeat Grey Dawning by 3l, confirming his stamina in the process. He then went on to win on the final day of the season at Sandown, where his preference for a right-handed track was again in evidence.
He looked as good as ever when overpowering Fact to File in the John Durkan last month over 2m4f. This keen going racer will be suited by Il Est Francais likely going off like the clappers from the first fence, but has the class to ease into contention at his own pace, whilst we know he gets every yard of the trip now, something that cannot yet be said of Djelo and Jango Baie, two of the leading British contenders, whilst The Jukebox Man’s tendency to jump left could be an issue on this fast ground.
Kempton 3.40: Hamsiyann
The decision of Tony Martin to bother to send HAMSIYANN over to England at Christmas for a race that is not worth a huge value, looks significant, and this gelding can gain an overdue first win since landing a race at Cheltenham’s November meeting last season.
Still only five, things have not panned out as well since for a variety of reasons, but there is plenty of hope to think today could be his day. Drying ground is definitely in this one’s favour. It was pretty quick that day at Cheltenham and his best run on the flat came when second in last season’s Chester Plate on good-to-firm.
He proved he was back to form when coming from a long way back at Newcastle last time, finishing second over a furlong shorter. He does like to be held up, but those tactics might be more suitable today in a race where we have a proven front-runner in Onewaywest who has to overcome an effective 14lbs rise since winning a small race at Wetherby last month. He should ensure a true test today and bring the selection’s strong finish into play.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – U Cant be Serious – 12.45 Kempton – 7/1 Bet365
1pt each-way – Celtic Dino – 1.55 Kempton – 6/1 general (¼ odds 1st 2)
1pt win – Gaelic Warrior – 2.30 Kempton – 5/2 Boylesports
1pt each-way – Hamsiyann – 3.40 Kempton – 8/1 William Hill, Betway
