The National Hunt racing is modest on Thursday ahead of the big weekend meetings at Sandown but the all-weather flat action continues at Kempton.
Jockey Luke Morris recently chalked up a career best tally for the year when surpassing last year’s tally of 168 winners. He could not be described as a stylish jockey by any stretch of the imagination but he gets the job done. He must also be a nightmare for the handicapper to read while trying to assess his winners, particularly those late developing three-year-olds of Sir Mark Prescott.
Morris should be on the score sheet again on Thursday on hat-trick seeking Vaguely Spanish in the 6.45 race. The son of Oratorio is trained by Tony Carroll and showed previous little until finishing an unlucky fourth at Brighton in October. He got off the mark at Windsor later the same month when bursting through late off a modest handicap rating of 49.
The handicapper put him up only 3lbs and Luke Morris did the steering on him when following up at Wolverhampton last month. He looked in a tricky position turning for home but responded gamely when pulled out wide and beat Gracefully by half a length. He is only up a further 3lbs here and the opposition looks extremely weak.
In the earlier maiden races I like the look of Richard Fahey’s Star Of The Stage at 5.45. The son of Invincible Spirit has missed the break on both of his starts so far, running on strongly at the finish to take third here last time out.
He races in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud so will be expected to pay his keep. The danger could be Stamp Of Authority who was still going strongly in the lead at the furlong pole over seven here last time out. He faded close home to finish only fifth but this drop in trip should see him go close.
You don’t often see runners in maiden races here that have finished second at Ascot first time but that is the case with Ajmal Ihsaas in the 6.15. Marco Botti is stepping the filly up two furlongs here but she could be a little better than your average maiden winner. Rock Kristal appeared to resent racing in a hood last time for John Gosden and could pose the main threat without the headgear.
Star Of The Stage 5.45 @2-1 Betfair
Ajmal Ihsaas 6.15 @4-5 Betfair
Vaguely Spanish 6.45 @11-8 Paddy Power
