19:15 Kempton

Wednesday 9 January 2019

All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:45

Watch Race Replays At racingtv.com Handicap

Off time: 19:18 | Winning time: 1m 25.69s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(2)

Perfect Soldier¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Liam Jones| T: S L Keightley| OR: 67

40/1

Placed on soft ground over an extended 1m at Galway in August. Struggled since, however, including on debut for current yard at Southwell last time.

Form: 2/30080-

(11)

Chetan²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Toby Eley⁽⁷⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 67| CD

8/1

Got back to winning ways over 1m at Lingfield last time, beating Hic Bibi on debut for current yard. More required in deeper race now, but not dismissed.

Form: 052221-

(1)

Briyouni⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 63| BF| CD

11/4

Well backed when winning C&D handicap on penultimate start, and ran respectably when fourth at Lingfield last time. return to this venue will suit, and he has every chance once more.

Form: 078714-

(5)

Hic Bibi²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Laura Coughlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 62| C| D

16/1

Had the run of the race when springing a 50/1 shock at Chelmsford in September, and back to form when second to Chetan at Lingfield last month. Not so good at former course last time, and hard to dominate here.

Form: 401825-

(6)

Mezmaar^v1³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: L P Keniry| T: M D I Usher| OR: 62| CD

20/1

0-10 at this track since joining current yard, but got back to winning ways at Chelmsford in July. Good second there next time, and visor on having run poorly after a break last month.

Form: 549120-

(9)

Ventriloquist¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: L Morris| T: S Dow| OR: 62| BF| D

9/1

Off for a long time before an encouraging return at Lingfield early last month, and built on that when beaten a nose by Storm Melody there last time. On a handy mark, and one for the shortlist.

Form: 0090/52-

(7)

Stand N Deliver^b1²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 62

11/1

Best effort to date when third in a 7f maiden at Wolverhampton last time, and while his opening mark demands more, it would be no surprise to see further progress now handicapping in blinkers.

Form: 423-

(4)

Dark Magic^v¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: R Winston| T: D K Ivory| OR: 61| D

5/1

Back to form in a first-time visor when 1¾L fifth of 11 to Chica de La Noche at Lingfield last time. That puts him in the picture, for all the headgear is not certain to have the same effect a second time.

Form: 090745-

(10)

Lady Marigold^t1³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Georgia Dobie⁽⁷⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 60

20/1

Failed to win in 2018, but plenty of solid efforts, including when 2¾L third of 11 to Delicate Kiss at Lingfield last time under this rider. Not to be underestimated.

Form: 355223-

(8)

Cashel²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 58

16/1

Much his best run for previous yard came when fourth at Leicester in May. Caught the eye making debut for shrewd new connections here last time, and a player if he can build on that, for all his profile is patchy.

Form: 496705-

(3)

Viola Park^p⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: R Harris| OR: 55| BF| CD

4/1

Capable AW performer, especially over 7f at Wolverhampton, and ran well from the front when second there last week. Not certain to be in the same form on this surface, however.

Form: 02421-2

Forecasts

Briyouni (11/4), Viola Park (4/1), Dark Magic (5/1), Chetan (8/1), Ventriloquist (9/1), Stand N Deliver (11/1), Cashel (16/1), Hic Bibi (16/1), Lady Marigold (20/1), Mezmaar (20/1), Perfect Soldier (40/1)

BRIYOUNI can blow it at the start, but landed a gamble here last month, and will appreciate the return to this track after a respectable fourth at Lingfield. Ventriloquist clearly retains plenty of his old ability, and is the main threat, although Stand N Deliver is open to improvement now handicapping, and is in good hands to do so.