18:15 Dundalk

Finans Bay is respected on his stable debut for Adrian McGuinness but preference instead goes to his consistent stablemate Bowerman (best priced at 11/4). The nine-year-old has form figures of 5412 in cheekpieces at this course including a win over 1m4f here on his penultimate start off a mark of 73.

Bowerman was unlucky not to win over this course and distance last time as he was inconvenienced by the slow pace and just didn’t get to the leader Elzaam Blue. The handicapper has raised him 3lbs for that effort up to a mark of 82 but with a stronger pace likely in this race, I expect him to get back to winning ways.

Bowerman - 1pt @ 11/4

20:00 Kempton

This looks a competitive 0-85 handicap but preference goes to the Charlie Johnston trained Dubai Leader (best priced at 7/1). The lightly raced four-year-old won a handicap over this course and distance in November off a mark of 79 when he stayed on well to win by 1 ¼ lengths. He ran too free on his next start at Chelmsford over 1m6f off a mark of 85 and the handicapper has been generous and dropped him 2lbs for that run.

Dubai Leader has been gelded since that run and hopefully he can run well following a 120 day break under Joe Fanning with up to four places on offer. 

Dubai Leader - 0.5pts e/w @ 7/1