Alan Thomson’s Tips: Kevin can call the shots at Leicester

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SMALL fields and moderate horses are a recipe for trouble and I'll restrict my bets to a couple of 5-1 shots starting with KEEP UP KEVIN (4.50) at Leicester.

I ended with week with two Saturday Sizzlers in Frankuus (8-1) and Maulesden May (6-1) and hoping to continue the good form.

Pam Sly has her string in terrific form and in the last few days she has saddled four horses which finished 1-2-1-2. Keep Up Kevin will handle the bit of juice in the ground as he won first time out at Newmarket (soft) back in May.

The gelding has had a little break since finishing third at Beverley but seems to go well fresh. Indeed, the three-year-old was returning from a 204-day absence when winning at Newmarket.

Probable favourite Vibes will help make the market as he scored by eight lengths last time at Lingfield on deep ground. The handicapper has reacted with an 11lb hike and there is the possibility that Vibes might have been slightly flattered by the margin of his victory because he raced up against the stands' rail at Lingfield so often the ‘golden highway' to riches at that particular track. We'll see.

At Windsor, THAHBAB IFRAJ (5.05) should give us a good run for our money in a poor 1m 3f handicap restricted to amateur riders.

There are a whole batch of professional losers in the line-up and that includes Thahbab Ifraj. Formerly trained by Ismail Mohammed, he is 0-13 but has been placed five times on the flat. The four-year-old ran second for his new yard in a recent novices' hurdle at Stratford, splitting a pair trained by Tom George and Dan Skelton respectively.

The cheek-pieces he last wore when running an excellent third at Chelmsford City in December are now re-applied and this could be his day in the sun.

Favourite Maroc is 0-19 but ran well on his previous visit to Windsor, leading for most of the way until collared by Boychick, and has the services of top amateur Simon Walker. Maroc looks sure to figure once again.

Take Two lost many lengths at the start at Newbury but arrived on the scene cantering two out before fading into third. He is usually thereabouts but I don't know much about his 7lb claimer.

Grams And Ounces at least knows how to get his head in front and has enjoyed a productive summer, winning three times. However, his three runs under today's amateur read 9-9-7 which puts me off.

Strictly Art is a regular in these amateur events and ran a fine second at Ripon under today's rider. Alan Bailey's gelding isn't overlooked either in what is a competitive contest. I've backed Thahab Ifraj ew at 5s.

Recommended Bets

• THAHBAB IFRAJ (5.05, Windsor) 5-1
• KEEP UP KEVIN (4.50, Leicester) 5-1

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