Kempton stages an interesting all-weather card on Thursday and I have been burning the midnight oil to try and find a couple of winners.
The second race on the card is a nursery and looks like a straight match between Chetan and Rialto Magic. Chetan battled well last time out after coming under pressure a long way from home but he has been on the go a long time. I just prefer the claims of Jamie Osborne’s Rialto Magic who will be having only her fourth race.
The daughter of Monsieur Bond ran particularly well here last time when third in the hands of Racheal Kneller and it is interesting that Adam Kirby takes over here.
There are only five runners in the seven furlong nursery which follows but a case can be made for four of them. Top weight Lyfka would probably be on a four-timer but for meeting bad interference at Wolverhampton but Marmalad is weighted to finish in front of him here. I’m going to side with Newbury runner-up Vegas Rebel who receives 10lbs from Lyfka and is more attractively priced.
My first instinct was to go for Solidarity in the 5.30 race after Desert Snow bolted up at Kempton on Wednesday. That horse had Solidarity behind him last time in the same colours of Godolphin. A 6lbs penalty does not look harsh for a comfortable win at Wolverhampton but he may be pushed to beat Double Discount on these terms. That horse stuck on the better of the two the last time they met and they are on exactly the same terms. Double Discount has won easily since and has to be the value bet, if you will forgive the pun!
Finally, I am going for Knight Owl in the 6.40 after an eye-catching run from James Fanshawe’s horse last time out. He finished fast from well behind to take fourth place and that looks the ideal prep for Thursday’s race. George Baker takes over in the saddle from Shane Kelly and few ride this course better. I was reluctant to pass over Andrew Balding’s Geordan Murphy who has won his last two starts at Windsor and he is feared most.
Rialto Magic 4.40 @3-1 Bet365
Vegas Rebel 5.10 @11-4 Skybet
Double Discount 5.40 @9-2 Coral
Knight Owl 6.40 @5-1 Ladbrokes
