UK Horse Racing Tips: Kempton

MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS was a useful handicapper on the Flat in Ireland and opened his hurdling account in emphatic fashion at Fontwell. He has been handed an 8lb rise, but the step up in trip can bring about more improvement and he is one to keep onside. Downtown Getaway disappointed as favourite at Newbury in November but is interesting following wind surgery, while Palmers Hill hasn't been seen since scoring at Cheltenham in November 2018 but has to come into calculations. The form of Midnightreferendum's Cheltenham third looks strong and she makes each-way appeal, and Philip Hobbs' pair of Larkbarrow Lad and Earth Moor are also considered.
Prediction : 1st Marlborough Sounds 2nd Palmers Hill 3rd Midnightreferendum

The form of COMMANCHE RED's emphatic nine-length triumph over C&D is rock-solid, with the runner-up and the third both winning well since. Chris Gordon's seven-year-old looks well placed to build on that handicap success in this Graded contest at a venue which clearly suits. Master Tommytucker's jumping isn't for the faint hearted, but he could easily repeat November's 2m2f defeat of Who Dares Wins with a clear round. The other Ditcheat runner Southfield Stone took the Dovecote on this card last year and has made a respectable start to his chasing career. Erick Le Rouge is also on the radar following his track-and-trip handicap victory.
Prediction : 1st Commanche Red 2nd Master Tommytucker 3rd Southfield Stone

SOLO arrives with a big reputation following his emphatic win at Auteuil in the autumn and Paul Nicholls' new recruit can follow in the hoofprints of former Nicholls inmates Zarkandar and Zubayr by landing this on his first UK start. Fujimoto Flyer tasted Listed glory on an enterprising raid to France in September and is an interesting runner from Ireland. Alan King's recent record in this has to be respected so Tremwedge and Blame It On Sally warrant a market check, while Fantastic Ms Fox goes in search of a hat-trick having taken a Listed race to complete a Doncaster double.
Prediction : 1st Solo 2nd Fujimoto Flyer 3rd Fantastic Ms Fox

Alan King has won this twice in the last three years and Elgin, who was victorious in 2018, is interesting following a long time off. King is more than capable of readying one following an absence, but the match-fitness of SONG FOR SOMEONE could prove crucial and Tom Symonds five-year-old has been in top form this season, losing nothing in defeat when second to Thomas Darby at Ascot. Ch'tibello can never be ruled out, with Quick Grabim better than he showed in the Christmas Hurdle and a potential live outsider.
Prediction : 1st Song For Someone 2nd Elgin 3rd Chtibello

BUZZ, whose current Flat rating is 96, has taken to hurdling very well, with recent victories at Taunton and Doncaster. The six-year-old has to improve upon that form to win this race but he is going in the right direction and he could be a class above these. West Cork has earned this step up in grade following two impressive wins at Huntingdon, while Highway One O Two and Kid Commando complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Buzz 2nd West Cork 3rd Highway One O Two

Paul Nicholls' four-strong squad is headed by the admirable Black Corton, whose presence at the top of the list ensures a nice racing weight for stablemate ADRIEN DU PONT. The eight-year-old's latest form figures don't make for particularly good reading, but he is 6lb lower than when third 12 months ago and only 1lb higher than when beating Just A Sting over C&D prior to that. The latter showed good resolution to prevail at the Christmas meeting here, while Double Shuffle also excels at the Sunbury circuit having occupied the runner-up berth twice in this race, as well as in the 2017 King George. Kildisart beat Mister Malarky on last year's Grand National card, but neither have set the world alight this campaign. As with Talkischeap, Kildisart may have the big Aintree showpiece as his main priority.
Prediction : 1st Adrien Du Pont 2nd Just A Sting 3rd Double Shuffle

IBLEO has won twice since returning from a lengthy break last month and that includes his easy victory at Huntingdon on Thursday. If the seven-year-old has fully recovered from those exertions, a 7lb penalty is unlikely to stop him from taking this race as well. Keep Wondering is an obvious threat to the selection based upon his success at Ffos Las three weeks ago. Favorito Buck's and Templepark merit respect too.
Prediction : 1st Ibleo 2nd Keep Wondering 3rd Templepark

BOTHWELL BRIDGE displayed plenty of promise when finishing second on his debut at Huntingdon last month and with that experience now under his belt, the son of Stowaway should be hard to beat. Minella Tara is an obvious contender having won at Lingfield in December, but he is vulnerable under a penalty. Others to note are the Alan King pair of Grisbi De Berce and Valleres, and Harry Fry's 125,000-pound point-to-point recruit Boothill.
Prediction : 1st Bothwell Bridge 2nd Minella Tara 3rd Grisbi De Berce

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