Following a 2/1 winner yesterday, Steve Ryder is back with three selections for today's action.
12:45 Kempton
Tollerton Forest won a similar event yesterday at Wolverhampton but preference goes to the Robert Eddery trained DRUM BRAE BOY (best priced at 5/1) who is weighted to beat that rival. The three-year-old is only rated 4lbs inferior to the favourite but is in receipt of 6lbs for his rival which should mean this is a closer contest than the betting suggests.
Drum Brae Boy was only beaten three lengths when fourth in a similar event at Lingfield four days ago but is now fitted with first time cheekpieces which should help. The other three runners are struggling for recent form and I expect Drum Brae Boy to prove the main danger to the favourite.
14:45 Kempton
This maiden looks an interesting betting heat with the two Charlie Appleby trained horses short prices at the head of the market. Golden Speech sets the standard with a rating of 90 but he has been gelded since his last run and is now fitted with first time cheekpieces and the second favourite First Sight actually finished behind the reopposing I'M TOO TIRED (best priced at 9/1) last time at Wolverhampton.
I’m Too Tired has been sent off 40/1 on both of his starts to date and connections will no doubt have an eye on handicaps after this race but I do think the market is underestimating his chances here. The son of Ribchester looked to be getting the hang of things late on at Wolverhampton to finish 4th and crucially a head in front of First Sight. This long straight at Kempton should suit him and I would be disappointed if he wasn’t involved in the finish.
18:45 Southwell
The Michael & David Easterby trained ELIGIBLE (best priced at 15/8) is unbeaten over this course and distance and he should hold strong claims of another victory despite a 5lb higher mark. The seven-year-old won off a mark of 66 here in October by 1 ¼ lengths behind slightly disappointing at Newcastle on his next start when dropped to 6f. He bounced back over this course and distance last month with a comfortable 1 length victory under Joanna Mason off a mark of 71.
The handicapper has raised Eligible 5lbs for that run which is fair and he should prove hard to beat with Joanna Mason retaining the ride.
