Ladbrokes Trophy day at Kempton is filled with high quality racing. Three Grade 2 prizes join the handicap feature at an intriguing meeting throughout Saturday afternoon.
GG tipster Joe Napier picks out our Placepot tips at Kempton, to earn a shot at the jackpot.
Leg 1: 1.10pm Kempton – Ladbrokes “New Horse Racing Bet Builder” Handicap Hurdle
Leg 1 selections: (7) Hold The Serve
Easily the horse with the most potential on his current mark is Hold The Serve. The point-to-point winner was disappointing when a well-backed favourite to win at Cheltenham to start this season. However, he has followed that up with wins at both Wincanton and Market Rasen without too much trouble. It would appear that wind surgery between his first and second runs has done the trick as a result. His initial rating of 123 is lenient enough and this 2m5f trip should suit. There is definitely still room for progression with him.
Leg 2: 1.45pm Kempton – Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)
Leg 2 selections: (1) One Horse Town
Fantasy World and La Luna Artista are both quite tempting. However, the six-runner field contains two proven juveniles who will be difficult to beat. Preference of that duo is for One Horse Town over Precious Man. Harry Derham’s charge is the most experienced with six runs, the first four of which he won. He was then third at Cheltenham in a race that has worked out well, before finishing second at Prestbury Park in January. Both times he chased home genuine Triumph Hurdle chances and, crucially, he beat Precious Man there in November. There is a 5lb swing in favour of his rival, but the selection beat him by nearly four lengths and can do so again.
Leg 3: 2.25pm Kempton – Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)
Leg 3 selections: (2) Jax Junior
Paul Nicholls has a sensational record in this contest, but Go West may have to give best to Jax Junior. The seven-year-old is the class horse in the race and should be tricky to beat on two particularly notable bits of form. One of those saw him win by 12 lengths at this track earlier in the season. The other was his victory last time out at Sandown off a mark of 139 when dropped back to 2m. However, he stays 2m4f fine and with Go West’s form far from convincing, Jax Junior should get the job done. He could yet take up his Arkle entry.
Leg 4: 3.00pm Kempton – Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ HUrdle (Grade 2)
Leg 4 selections: (2) Onlyforfrankie, (7) Lexington Wood
This is as open a renewal of this Grade 2 as you will see. That probably owes to the lack of a superstar and eyecatching runs from Onlyforfrankie and Lexington Wood last time out make them our duo of Placepot selections.
Onlyforfrankie caused a serious upset at Musselburgh earlier this month. He beat Supreme hope Mossy Fen Road that day, but there was little shock about the result by the line. That made it two wins in a row and he looks to be improving quickly. He is second in this field o adjusted ratings.
Lexington Wood is more of a hopeful choice. He has joined Olly Murphy from Ireland after three promising bumper runs. The best of all was saved until last, when beaten just a half-length by Ballyfad. That winner is now a Cheltenham Festival prospect and Lexington Wood was conceding 7lb that day. He is pitched in at the deep end for his stable debut, but could be quite useful.
Leg 5: 3.35pm Kempton – Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase
Leg 5 selections: (5) The Doyen Chief, (10) Chance Another One
Of the three course and distance winners in the field, favourite Katate Dori achieved his the least recently and remains the most punished by the handicapper. He did win this race 12 months ago, but The Doyen Chief and Chance Another One are preferred.
The former has been very progressive over fences on the whole. He has only been out of the top three twice and won over track and trip from a course specialist in January. He is only 1lb higher and should be right in the thick of things once again.
Chance Another One’s win came from a subsequent scorer in November. He has been outpaced over 2m-2m1f the last twice, but it is eminently possible that this substantial pot has been connections’ target since. A 7lb rise might not stop him making another successful raid from Ireland.
Leg 6: 4.10pm Kempton – “Join Ladbrokes Bet £5 Get £30” Handicap Chase
Leg 6 selections: (1) Etalon, (3) Viroflay
The nine-year-old Etalon has been revived by going up in trip this season and was only narrowly beaten at Ascot over 2m5f last time. Back a furlong in distance on a slightly quicker surface, he may be able to profit again.His one previous run at Kempton, in this race a year ago, was likely too bad to be true. However, in case he struggles at the track again, Viroflay is worth including too. Paul Nicholls does excellently at this meeting and this former hunter chaser is in grand form. He won over 3m here in December, having been second the previous month. However, the drop in trip can suit for this strong traveller, who won by 34 lengths over course and distance in his hunter chasing season last term.
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