Racecards
14:00 Kempton Park
C.s.p. Joe Frimpong Employee Of The Year Classified Stakes (Class 6)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: AllWeather
- £3,000 added
- Form 0317-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer M S Saunders
- Jockey M Henry
tracked winner, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish and lost 2 places
- Form 4820/21-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 54
- Trainer G C Bravery
- Jockey T G McLaughlin
steadied start, held up in rear, when 4th halfway, stayed on inside final furlong to take 3rd near finish
Just Spike
11- Form 40689-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer B P J Baugh
- Jockey S Carson
steadied start, settled in rear, struggling from over 2f out
- Form 05000-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer Mrs L C Jewell
- Jockey J M O'Dwyer
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced
- Form 00046-9
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 41
- Trainer M J Attwater
- Jockey A Quinn
prominent to halfway, soon lost place, behind over 2f out
- Form 093307-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer Peter Grayson
- Jockey C Haddon
chased leaders, stayed on from over 1f out, took 2nd well inside final furlong, gaining near finish
- Form 4190-2D
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer Miss Z C Davison
- Jockey Saleem Golam
made all, led and set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, soon edged left, ran on, held on well near finish
In depth
Verdict
Grand Assault won his maiden last time out and is probably just about good enough to land this handicap from the exposed maiden winner Crimson Fern, while Reigning Monarch looks best of the rest. Grand Assault took a 6f Wolverhampton maiden and has previously gone well over 7f at Lingfield, so at least he showed she is capable of holding some form. A 4lb rise for the maiden win is fair enough and at this trip we will side with him to follow up. Crimson Fern won a 7f Wolverhampton maiden a couple of starts back and was turned over here last time at today's trip from this same mark. This is not a hot race so he looks capable of making the frame and would not be a shock winner. Reigning Monarch looks the pick of the remainder and went well here despite being relegated by the stewards last time. From the same mark he can again be very competitive and it does look to be between these three, with Grand Assault being taken to just shade it.
Formwatch
Crimson Fern (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, mid-division, chased leaders and effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 11, 3l behind Littledodayno (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Grand Assault 5-4fav (9-3) Held up, not clear run 3f out, headway and hung left 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, edged right, driven out, won at W'hampton 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec beating Belinda Rose (8-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
Just Spike 66-1 (8-13) Towards rear, effort on outside over 1f out, no further impression, 9th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Figaro Flyer (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Kazakstan 100-1 (8-7) In touch on outer, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon in rear, 11th of 12, 14l behind Benllech (8-6) at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Kissi Kissi 20-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, 4l behind Ask Jenny (9-0) at Kempton 5f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Regal Royale 5-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 7th of 11, 11l behind Dawson Creek (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Reigning Monarch (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Led, edged right and headed over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, shd behind Muktasb (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol. Later dsq to 3rd.