Racecards
14:00 Kempton Park
Bet Multiples - Betdaq 'national Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Form 41
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
always prominent, led approaching 2out, drew clear after last, ran on strongly
- Form 338-31
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer P J McBride
- Jockey Paul Moloney
led until before 2nd last, soon ridden, stayed on same pace
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer W Greatrex
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
mid-division, keen early, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, mistake next, soon weakened
- Form 44-30
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P R Chamings
- Jockey R Flint
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
- Form U25-2P0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J R Boyle
- Jockey Christian Williams
held up in rear, weakened before 3 out
- Form 4
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
behind, mistake 1st, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten
- Form 873
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Mrs P Sly
- Jockey David England
held up in rear, headway 3 out, stayed on after last, never able to challenge
In depth
Verdict
CAPTAIN CHRIS likes it here and can build on his easy win in a similar contest last time by following up under a penalty, while Rollwiththepunches is likely to be the leading danger. The selection improved for a bumper run here to win by 20 lengths on his hurdling debut just a couple of weeks ago. The Hobbs stable remains in tremendous form at present, good ground suits this King's Theatre gelding and we will side with him for further success. Another previous winner carrying a penalty is Rollwiththepunches, who has been given a break since a soft ground success at Huntingdon in January. He has yet to fully prove himself on good ground, so that plus the impression left by his chief rival here means that today we will take him on. Devil's Advocate is an interesting newcomer for trainer Warren Greatrex. The gelding increased in price from yearling to juvenile and is related to a 2009 bumper winner and also to Impek, who was a top jumper. He is likely to go well when there is some cut in the ground, though we need to keep an eye on the market as a guide to his chance today. Smokey George can improve for a bumper run at Southwell, while Tricky Tree can probably show more now sent hurdling, but preference is for Captain Chris.
Formwatch
Captain Chris (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Always prominent, led approaching 3 out, drew clear approaching 2 out, ran on strongly, easily, won at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Spent (11-1) by 20l, 15 ran.
Rollwiththepunches 16-1 (11-4) Made all, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan beating Rackham Lerouge (11-4) by 3l, 15 ran.
Devil's Advocate (IRE) Mister Mat gelding out of Ecyba.
Respective Way 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake and pecked 5th, weakened soon after, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Sanctuaire (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Rossmill Lad (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Mid-division, struggling after 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Captain Chris (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Smokey George 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leader 3f, stayed in 3rd until 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 5, 15l behind Rebel Rebellion (11-4) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (AWT) (4-6yo) (4) std in Feb.
Raspbary 100-1 (10-0) Not fluent in rear, stayed on approaching 2 out, never in contention, tailed off, left poor 4th last, 4th of 12, 34l behind King's Legacy (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Tricky Tree (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Theredballoon (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gd.