UK Horse Racing Tips: Kempton

A recruit from Mark Johnston on the Flat, FRASER ISLAND struck on his hurdles debut at Newbury last month and is expected to remain competitive now turned out under a penalty. Sir Canford chased the selection home last time and could narrow the gap now sporting cheekpieces. Bumper winner Goa Lil is entitled to build on his recent course fourth and take closer order, while Lord Lamington also makes some appeal on his Grade 2 Doncaster second last month and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Fraser Island 2nd Sir Canford 3rd Goa Lil

SAINT XAVIER won a Grade 3 handicap over fences at Auteuil last season and although he needs to step up on the level of form he showed on his return to hurdles at Cheltenham last time, he still rates the one to beat on his second outing for Paul Nicholls. Delight Of Dubai followed up her point victory by landing a weak hurdles contest at Lingfield but is going the right way and commands respect. Bourbon Borderline is seemingly still getting to grips with the hurdling game.
Prediction : 1st Saint Xavier 2nd Delight Of Dubai 3rd Bourbon Borderline

SAMMY BILL followed up his 11-length romp over C&D in November with another comfortable victory at Aintree last time and has strong claims of defying an 11lb rise to complete a hat-trick. The main danger may be Mercian Prince, who sports a first-time visor, has landed this contest for the last two years and is rated 2lb higher than 12 months ago. Sao steps up from 2m2f and could similarly take a hand.
Prediction : 1st Sammy Bill 2nd Mercian Prince 3rd Sao

The admirable TOP NOTCH returns to action after his impressive Peterborough Chase triumph last month and could claim back-to-back successes in this contest. Nicky Henderson's charge boasts an impressive record over this distance and represents a handler who has won three of the last four renewals of this contest. Frodon landed the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham 10 months ago but hasn't really been in the same form since, although he would be dangerous if back to his best, while Kauto Riko, a 100-1 second behind the selection five weeks ago, deserves greater respect this time.
Prediction : 1st Top Notch 2nd Frodon 3rd Kauto Riko

Larkbarrow Lad showed a likeable attitude when scoring on his handicap debut at Worcester in October and could improve for a subsequent wind operation. Notre Pari has a nice profile for such a race and won in the manner of a progressive gelding at Aintree last month, though he looks short enough in the betting under Barry Geraghty. It might be worth chancing BURROWS EDGE, who returns to hurdles after falling in a beginners' chase at Ludlow just before Christmas. The seven-year-old previously looked progressive over the smaller obstacles, posting a solid runner-up effort behind Erick Le Rouge (now rated 137) here 11 months ago, and could give Nicky Henderson his third win in this contest since 2013.
Prediction : 1st Burrows Edge 2nd Notre Pari 3rd Larkbarrow Lad

ON THE BLIND SIDE looks capable of giving weight and a beating to these rivals. He readily won a novice chase over C&D on his only previous visit to the Surrey venue and arrives following a pleasing effort on ground probably softer than ideal at Ascot, chasing home the talented Riders Onthe Storm. From the opposite end of the weights, Fingerontheswitch warrants plenty of respect for Neil Mulholland and Millie Wonnacott, while War Sound is certainly no forlorn hope either.
Prediction : 1st On The Blind Side 2nd Fingerontheswitch 3rd War Sound

If Barry Geraghty can get NEVER ADAPT to drop her head, she will prove extremely difficult to beat. Despite pulling fiercely on both UK starts to date, she has emerged with lots of credit, collecting two bronze medals, and is potentially a fair bit better than this mark of 130. Ecu De La Noverie wasn't disgraced when a couple of places behind the selection at Cheltenham last time and he could be better suited by this flatter track, while Golden Taipan and Fin And Game add further spice to the race.
Prediction : 1st Never Adapt 2nd Ecu De La Noverie 3rd Golden Taipan