Kempton 14th January continued.

2:15 - Nick Gifford told punters to wait for EL PADRINO to go over fences but failed to convince with his jumping last time out but that was his first time over fences and should know a bit more about the game now. REBLIS has done nothing wrong this year at all but has gone up 17 pounds for his 2 wins, still not without a chance even with the extra weight on him. ONLY WITNESS won last time out at Ludlow and the Brendan Powell father and son team up with him and he could continue his winning ways here. MOLESKIN had some good form when younger but is more than difficult and rarely runs the same race, if putting his best foot forward could take all the beating but im siding with ONLY WITNESS here.

2:50 - (same write up as yesterday) A race filled with young improving horses and none improving faster than David Pipe's DECOY who ran an extraordinary race to win a conditional jockeys hurdle at cheltenham under the talented Conor O'Farrell. However last time out he was beaten by a fast improving Phillip Hobbs horse name FEATHERBRED LANE who this year has gone up 24 pounds in his last two runs but was very impressive last time out at Aintree. Paul Nicholls trains 2 in this race the first being a former Cheltenham Festival winner in AMERICAN TRILOGY who returns to hurdles after a disappointing time over fences, a return to his best hurdles form should see him go very close. DOMTALINE is the second Nicholls horse ridden by Nephew Harry Derham, he was very impressive at Chepstow but he ran into 2 very useful horses at haydock in Grandouet and Marsh Warbler, an improving kind and looks to be the Nicholls first string. BUENA VISTA usually saves his best for Cheltenham in March, OHIO GOLD has been tricky but has finally found the winning way, this might be too much of an ask for him though. KUILSRIVER is a horse i like and was in need of the run last time however i wouldnt expect him to be good enough to trouble the main protagonists here. ACT OF KALANISI goes for the in form Dr Richard Newland yard but may just need a bit more give in the ground and looks a bit short on his best form. LIGHTNING STRIKE has a 6 pound penalty and that should account for his chance with the improving SWINCOMBE FLAME looking a little short but is in off a low weight. My selection for the race is DOMTALINE who looks on the upgrade, EASTLAKE is another improving young horse but has a short break to overcome and it would be no surprise to see him run a big race.


3:20 - QUOTICA DE POYANS disappointed hugely last time at Newbury after coming into the race with a tall reputation and its not certain that this shorter trip will suit him, so its understandable to avoid him today. ALFIE SHERRIN does not appear the force he used to be but is lightly raced however has shown very little this year. SAFARI JOURNEY is over priced in my opinion, the Phillip Hobbs horse usually comes up with a win every now and then and has dropped down to a winning mark. I would be encouraged to take a gamble on him today at a price. FIX THE RIB was a very good horse back in his day but injuries have kept him out and doesnt look the force of old. CRUCHAIN has a low weight and can run well at Kempton (close 3rd in this race last year). But it would be no surprise to see SAFARI JOURNEY go close today.


3:50 J'ADHERE is a very temperamental horse and cant really be trusted to string two runs together, even after an impressive win at Taunton last time, LUCAINDUBAI looks very much the one to beat in this race and has been running well without getting his head in front. Today could finally be the day the Evan Williams horse wins. Gary Moore seems to be confident about NEW CODE'S chances and if you can forgive his last run could very well get a place though its hard to see him getting his head in front. DREAM ESTEEM is another that has been running well without success and is the biggest threat to LUCAINDUBAI today.