20:10 Kempton

Wednesday 7 March 2018

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:4021:10

32Red Casino Handicap

Off time: 20:15 | Winning time: 1m 12.0s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Strategic Heights^v⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Spencer| T: J A Osborne| OR: 65| D

7/1

Never got into it at Chelmsford last week after starting slowly and is better judged on previous solid efforts this winter including a close second over C&D in January. Fair chance if jumping off on terms this time.

Form: 2-23335

(4)

Robben Rainbow²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 65| D

5/1

Struggled in higher grade last term but has come sharply down the weights and didn't run too badly when fourth at Wolverhampton last month after a long break. Should be sharper now and looks a contender.

Form: 9/0066-4

(10)

Awesome Allan⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: P D Evans| OR: 65| BF| D

7/2

Caught close home last time at Lingfield and is holding his form well this winter. Runs off the same mark and no reason he shouldn't be in the thick of the action once again.

Form: 805422

(7)

Equally Fast^h²⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: L P Keniry| T: R Harris| OR: 64

14/1

Regressed last season when with Peter Hiatt and not seen since July. First start for new handler and is well-handicapped on best of old form. Remains to be seen though if the ability is still there.

Form: 697000-

(6)

Ubla^p¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 62| C

20/1

Three career wins have come at 7f to 1m. Tends to race freely though up front so first drop back to this trip may not be a bad move. Fair display is not ruled out under a good apprentice.

Form: 4351-60

(9)

Coverham^p¹⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Ryan Tate| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 62

10/1

17-race maiden but has placed 11 times. Has 142-day absence to overcome and drops back in trip, but went close on seasonal reappearance last term so not without hope.

Form: 223653-

(11)

Merdon Castle⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Paddy Bradley⁽⁵⁾| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 62| BF| C| D

10/1

Rated more than 30lb higher than current mark a couple of seasons ago. Heavily backed favourite at Lingfield in December but missed break and reportedly bled as well. Undoubtedly well in on old form but has questions to answer.

Form: 573058-

(8)

Fareeq^b,t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Watson⁽⁷⁾| T: C Wallis| OR: 61| D

4/1

Scored at Chelmsford in January and ran fair second off 3lb higher mark at same track last month. Young rider claims 7lb and has been among the winners of late so another bold show looks on the cards.

Form: 06-3612

(3)

Fairway To Heaven⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Charlie Bennett⁽³⁾| T: L Carter| OR: 59| C| D

20/1

Drops to lowest ever mark but may still require more help from the handicapper. Didn't show a great deal on return from a break here in January and others are preferred on this occasion.

Form: 45329-8

(12)

Spellmaker⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: E J Walsh⁽³⁾| T: A G Newcombe| OR: 59| CD

16/1

Veteran who has won nine races in his career. Returned from long break and showed little at Chelmsford in January but is nicely handicapped on pick of AW form in recent seasons. Has it to do but not dismissed out of hand.

Form: 93049-9

(1)

Porto Ferro³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: L Morris| T: J J Bridger| OR: 57| D

8/1

Has failed to jump away on terms twice in last three starts but still ran well over C&D last time under today's jockey. Eased 1lb since then and could go close if breaking properly this time.

Form: 4070-63

Non-Runners

(5)

Caesar's Comet¹⁴²

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: P T Midgley J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Awesome Allan (7/2), Fareeq (4/1), Robben Rainbow (5/1), Strategic Heights (7/1), Porto Ferro (8/1), Coverham (10/1), Merdon Castle (10/1), Caesar's Comet (12/1), Equally Fast (14/1), Spellmaker (16/1), Fairway To Heaven (20/1), Ubla (20/1)

This is a very tight-knit handicap in which there are plenty with chances. PORTO FERRO belied her odds and went close here last time despite a slow start. If jumping off on terms she has as good a shout as any. Robben Rainbow caught the eye on his first start back after a break and should be on the premises off a competitive mark, and along with Awesome Alan, Strategic Heights, and Coverham has claims. The jury is out on Merdon Castle but any market support would be significant, while both Fareeq and Ubla enter calculations in a tricky heat.