Kempton & Newcastle selections Saturday 21st February
As we draw closer to Cheltenham, we still have an excellent Saturday’s action to enjoy over the jumps this afternoon. Fairyhouse stages the Bobbyjo Chase, more of a trail for Nationals to come this spring. However at Kempton we have a quality card with plenty of graded races on offer. However I like the look of three handicaps on the card. I also have an each-way bet for one of the big chases of the year at Newcastle, the Eider. We had a good week last week with headline selection Fiercely Proud an 11/1 (advised) winner, whilst Deafening Silence was placed for the each-way (SP 7/1).
Kempton 1.10: Hold the Serve
A horse who came with a big reputation after a single, convincing win in a point in Ireland, HOLD THE SERVE had something of a disastrous debut under rules when unplaced in a maiden hurdle at Cheltenham in November. It was back to the drawing board after that and connections have certainly sorted things out with the gelding since.
Presumably the horse had some breathing issues at Cheltenham as he was given a wind op after the race and was fitted with a tongue strap for his next outing. He was also switched to sharp right-handed tracks and since then he has not looked back.
He was a comfortable winner of a novice at Wincanton next time over this distance, and then backed it up with another success in a better race at Market Rasen. This sets him up for his first foray into handicaps today and an opening mark of 123 could be generous. He gets to run on another right-handed flat track today which should aid his breathing and it would be no surprise to see him land this en route to taking in some of the spring festivals.
Newcastle 2.43: Dom of Mary
Already a winner of a big marathon when taking the Sussex National in 2024, DOM OF MARY has switched yards to James Owen this season and has performed with credit already.
That includes a win here over 3m6f, the next longest race to the Eider on the calendar at Newcastle. That race was obviously a good deal easier than today’s but nevertheless he has a consistent record in marathon chases and he confirmed that with a solid sixth in the Welsh National on his last run.
This race is a step down in class, with the exception of Mr Vango, and with a few running from out of the handicap, Dom of Mary looks a very solid each-way option given his consistency.
Kempton 3.35: Hoe Joly Smoke & Chance Another One
After three runs this season, all at Cheltenham, the Skeltons have changed tack today and switched HOE JOLY SMOKE to a flatter track in a bid to land another big pot.
After a highly promising third over 3m at the Showcase meeting, he ran even better when third in the Paddy Power to stablemate Panic Attack the following month. However he did not seem to get up the hill on the New Course next time when only fifth and it might be he can finish off his race more strongly on a flat track with a short run-in here.
His very best form up until now has come at Sandown, which proves his ability to handle a right-handed track and of course confirms he is a good jumper. First time cheekpieces are fitted today and I expect Harry Skelton to ride his mount very patiently to produce his mount very late to challenge.
I would also give big consideration to CHANCE ANOTHER ONE who won very nicely over this course and distance back in November and had ready made excuses for two heavy defeats since.
That win here confirmed he is a true 3m performer so it was no surprise to see him lack the speed for 2m in a novice race and then at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting since. He likes good going so the conditions should hopefully not be too bad for him this afternoon and he is only 7lbs higher than for that November win for this unexposed chaser.
Kempton 4.05: Califet En Vol
Another chaser to be given a shot at Kempton after a season racing at Cheltenham is CALIFET EN VOL and he can take advantage of what is likely to be a breakneck pace in this race.
Viroflay and Javert Allen don’t seem to have any other way of racing than flat out from the front, whilst Bad and Etalon often are ridden that way too. Whilst they won’t all take each other on, a strong gallop is guaranteed and that should set things up nicely for Nicky Henderson’s charge a solid stayer at 2m4f
I am not sure if Cheltenham has suited this horse perfectly as he has travelled well in parts of his races, but also not finished off too strongly and perhaps he will perform better on a flatter track. He was an impressive winner over hurdles here before then beating the useful No Questions Asked in a listed race at Huntingdon, another similar track so back at this venue I think we will see the best of Califet En Vol today.
Recommended bets:
1pt win – Hold the Serve – 1.10 Kempton – 2/1 general
1pt each-way – Dom of Mary – 2.43 Newcastle – 9/1 general
1pt each-way – Hoe Joly Smoke – 3.35 Kempton – 6/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Chance Another One – 3.35 Kempton – 7/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt win – Califet en Vol – 4.05 Kempton – 9/4 general
