17:30 Kempton

Leg 1 Selections: Dutch Kingdom, Orchestra, Burnish

I have been taken with the way DUTCH KINGDOM has conducted himself after three in-the-frame efforts. He has gone close in each of them and didn’t disgrace himself when trying a mile for the first time at Lingfield. I expect him to be extremely competitive in this race with improvement to come. 

Oisin Murphy has a good record at this course and therefore his ride, ORCHESTRA, has to merit respect in this. Ed Dunlop’s charge had his stamina stretched at Newmarket when last spotted, so the return to a mile will be much more favourable. BURNISH beat a decent sort on his penultimate start and could resume his progress. 

18:00 Kempton

Leg 2 Selections: Naaser, Man Of A’An

NAASER did very well to finish second on debut considering he was hampered at the start but confirmed that initial promise when comfortably going one place better last time. 

That was a stronger-looking race than this one and he will get the box seat in stall one with William Buick booked to ride. He should take a lot of beating, while debutant MAN OF A’AN is interesting for Harry Eustace, who has a good strike-rate at this course. 

18:30 Kempton

Leg 3 Selections: Alpha Zulu

The James Ferguson-trained ALPHA ZULU shaped with a ton of promise and potential when a half-a-length second on debut at Newcastle and that form should work out well this upcoming season. 

He has a lot more to offer and this race looks easier. Oisin Murphy will have learnt a lot about him the last day and given he’s drawn fairly well in six, it is difficult to not see him in the frame at the very least in leg 3.

19:00 Kempton

Leg 4 Selections: Lakota Blue, Restrict

In leg 4, I wouldn’t be put off LAKOTA BLUE despite being the outsider of the field. Nigel Tinkler’s horses are going very well and this dual winner last year wasn’t disgraced in a Group Two at York when last spotted. He returns in a much easier race and is drawn well in stall 4, so he’s of some interest on his all-weather debut. 

RESTRICT still showed signs of inexperience and greenness last time at Wolverhampton but still managed to get the job done under Hayley Turner and she retains the ride here. He is in receipt of weight from all his rivals and is drawn lovely in stall two. He should prove better than this mark.

19:30 Kempton

Leg 5 Selections: Sir Dancealot, Dubai Station

This is a competitive-quality race for leg 5 and I am siding with two against the field. SIR DANCEALOT proved last year he is still capable of high-class form, running well in back-to-back handicaps towards the end of the year and has the assistance of Oisin Murphy. He is a past course-and-distance winner and has the class to figure from this mark. 

DUBAI STATION relished a strong pace at Wolverhampton last time when coming through strongly having travelled well to win going away and has only been raised three-pounds. The six-year-old is drawn wide in stall nine but his hold-up style of running should prove no issue in regards to his draw and Rossa Ryan keeps the ride. He could follow-up if everything falls into place. 

20:00 Kempton

Leg 6 Selections: Blazeon Five, Novel Legend

Roger Teal’s BLAZEON FIVE has shown a liking for this course-and-distance, which reads two wins and two seconds. His last six starts reads 111222 and he is partnered by William Buick, which is a positive. He is a standout pick in leg 6.

I wouldn’t rule out NOVEL LEGEND though, who almost made a first start over two-miles a winning one last time when only beaten a neck and is only two pounds higher here. He could be a big player for the in-form James Ferguson stable.