Go West 11/4 – Kempton 2.25
I totally understand why Jax Junior is the favourite for this race, but I don't think he should be as short as he currently is.
I tipped up Jax Junior at this track when he beat Jeriko Du Reponet in easy fashion. He has since won another race, but on balance, I don't think the form is good enough to say he is an odds-on shot. Jeriko Du Reponet has been running like they've wanted to get his handicap mark down, so you've got to take that win with a pinch of salt, and then last time out, he beat a bunch of exposed horses.
I thought Go West had a solid chance of causing an upset in this race. He is 2/4 over fences and has some solid form from handicaps. He won a Class 3 at Musselburgh at the start of the month, which has seen the third win in a Class 1 mares race. To add to this, he was a nose behind Jordan's Cross at Doncaster in December, who has followed up with another win and is now rated 140.
Double Measure 10/3 – Kempton 3.00
This is a tricky Grade 2, but not a fantastic race. The reason I believe it's tricky is because of the JP four-year-old, who was smashed in the betting on his stable debut and won comfortably. It's strange that Nicky has opted for a 4yo+ race instead of a juvenile race, and it looks like they ooze confidence. However, what did he beat?
Double Measure caught the eye on his hurdling debut at Chepstow at the start of the jumps season. He wasn't given a hard time that day, and looked like a horse to follow throughout this season. They went for a Grade 2 at Haydock for his next race, and he didn't cover himself in glory, finishing fourth of six. He managed to get his win when being the 2/5F at Huntingdon in an egg and spoon race.
The form of his second at Chepstow looks solid. The winner was second to No Drama This End in a Grade 2, with that horse now being a Grade 1 winner. In third at Chepstow was Came From Nowhere, who bolted up in a competitive Class 2 Ascot handicap.
Chance Another One 9/1 – Kempton 3.35
I am a sucker for a Sam Thomas horse, so it was hard to not back Katate Dori for this race, especially as I tipped him up last time out to a close runner-up defeat. I was too tempted by the Emmet Mullins horse, who looks like he has been laid out for the race for months.
He came to Kempton earlier in the season and won over 3m, doing it quite easily in the end. Since then, he has gone back to Ireland and been poor in races over two miles. That trip is simply far too short, and they were used to try and get a slightly lower handicap mark and to keep his fitness in check for today's race.
Jambon 22/1 – Kempton 4.40
This race is a total minefield, and it's not one I'd get involved in too often, but Chris Gordon has unleashed some smart bumper horses at Kempton in recent years.
Chris has a record of 4/9 and a further two more inside the top three at this track in bumper races in the last five years, which is his most successful track. It's hard to know what to expect with him not winning a PTP race from three attempts, but maybe this trip is what he needs and he is more about speed than stamina.
The market will be a big indicator of his chances.
GambleAware