A WEEKEND of disappointment, with all National Hunt cards being abandoned.
I turned my attentions to the range of other sporting options including Six Nations Rugby, Super League, Premier League football, World Cup of darts, German Masters snooker and the Superbowl, so it wasn’t all bad.
With the weather unrelenting, we’ll focus most of our attention on Kempton where they have an eight race card on Wednesday. There are meetings at Carlisle, Lingfield and Ludlow, although it doesn’t look too good for the jumps cards, with Market Rasen and Sedgefield both already being abandoned on Tuesday.
LADY CAPRICE is a horse who has been on the upgrade since joining Jane Chapple-Hyam, winning back to back handicaps at Wolverhampton and Lingfield, and she can complete the hatrick in the 6.05 at Kempton. Although up 13lb for her two wins, she is three out of nine running over five furlongs and looks to be on the upgrade.
RED SOMERSET is a hardened veteran of the claiming circuit and always seems to run a tough consistent race, regardless of the opposition. The nine year old finished second last time out in a hot contest, with the winner and the fourth both coming out and winning subsequent claiming races in the last week. Although he is 3lb wrong at the weights to Unlimited he has plenty heart and should go close.
LAFFAN is a horse who has thrived since switching to the all weather and has been a revelation, putting his maiden form on the turf well behind him. He is now 2/2 since running in all weather handicaps in the New Year. He won under a 6lb penalty last time out and could still be well treated.
An eye-catching booking in the 7.35 is Jamie Spencer riding CATCHY TUNE for the David Brown yard, who looks thrown into a Class 6 handicap after three runs in decent maidens over the summer. The chestnut colt could be anything, so a market check would be advisable. If the money comes that could further enhance his claims.
Lingfield hosts a mixed card on Wednesday too and there looks to be a good chance for the in form Venetia Williams yard with SANTO THOMAS in the 3.30. The six year old has come on well, building on his first appearance for 18 months when following up with a third in a Bangor handicap, only losing by 1 ¾ lengths. The two runners he finished behind have finished first and second in subsequent handicaps, and running to the same level should ensure a good account.
3.30 (Lingfield) Santo Thomas (Nap)
6.05 (Kempton) Lady Caprice
6.35 (Kempton) Red Somerset (Nb)
7.05 (Kempton) Laffan
7.35 (Kempton) Catchy Tune