19:45 Kempton

Wednesday 21 February 2018

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

32Red.com Handicap

Off time: 19:46 | Winning time: 2m 18.72s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Fire Fighting^b¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Fran Berry| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| C| D

15/2

A typically consistent, tough sort from this yard with 11 wins to his name. Not at his best on his last four starts and he will need to be near his best to take this.

Form: 5738-58

(3)

Calling Out⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: S M Levey| T: D M Simcock| OR: 100

14/1

Had little chance at the weights in a Lingfield conditions race last week when also shaping as though this slightly shorter trip would help. Previous run there makes him a leading player, although that track does seem to bring out the best in him.

Form: 126-433

(1)

Frenzified¹⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 99| D

25/1

Winner of four lower grade handicaps for Luca Cumani in 2015 and has more recently been keeping good company in California. Efforts there include a place in a Grade 1 so one to note in the ring with the yard in good form.

Form: 53/5507-

(6)

Keep In Line⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: A King| OR: 97

25/1

Former Godolphin horse who has not raced on the level for two years. Has developed into a fairly useful handicap hurdler, but current mark leaves little margin for any loss of form or ability.

Form: 531700/

(7)

Al Hamdany³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: M Botti| OR: 95| C

10/3

Not at his best last time when fourth to a stable companion. The slow pace and the loss of a shoe will have been contributory factors. However, he has two wins and two seconds from five starts here and that offers him an opportunity to bounce back.

Form: 25122-4

(5)

Azari^p¹⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 93

20/1

Joined this yard for £16,000 last month having enjoyed a good summer for Tom Dascombe. Form took a turn for the worse during the autumn and probably best watched this evening.

Form: 612080-

(8)

Cosmeapolitan²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: M Harley| T: A King| OR: 89

9/2

Winning hurdler who finished just ahead of Intrepidly last time and is 2lb worse off. However, he was forced to come wide off the bend and it is difficult to split the pair of them.

Form: 70035-2

(4)

Koeman¹⁰⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: J Fanning| T: M R Channon| OR: 85| CD

4/1

Narrowly beat Al Hamdany here in September and weighted to confirm the form. That rival has the benefit of a recent run and that makes him a more attractive option.

Form: 133188-

(9)

Kelly's Dino^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: Joey Haynes| T: K R Burke| OR: 80

3/1

Up considerably in both grade and trip. Did not get the best of runs last time but the handicapper has accounted for that.

Form: 166/113

Non-Runners

(10)

Intrepidly²⁵

Weight: 8-13| Age: 4

T: J Noseda J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Kelly's Dino (3/1), Al Hamdany (10/3), Intrepidly (7/2), Koeman (4/1), Cosmeapolitan (9/2), Fire Fighting (15/2), Calling Out (14/1), Azari (20/1), Frenzified (25/1), Keep In Line (25/1)

Fire Fighting would be more than good enough to defy topweight if back to his best, but his last few runs have been several pounds below his optimum levels and he is hard to recommend. Koeman and Al Hamdany are closely matched on running here last September with the latter's fitness advantage giving him an edge this time. Frenzified is an interesting runner on his return to this country having been running in graded company in California, whilst Kelly's Dino is stepping up appreciably in trip. COSMEAPOLITAN and Intrepidly clashed here last time and the former may just be favoured this time as he did not enjoy the run of the race. The stable's horses are operating at a 26% strike rate currently and the five-year-old may prove the answer to a tricky affair.