The Kempton racing continues the day after Boxing Day with another six-race card. Headlining the action from the Sunbury-on-Thames venue is a must-see edition of the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase on Friday, 27 December.
This sees Irish raider Ballyburn battle bright British hope Sir Gino over an easy two miles. Also on the second day of the Christmas Festival, there’s the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Handicap Chase for those more experienced over fences.
Supporting races include a mares’ handicap hurdle and handicap chase over the King George course and distance. We keep our experts busy of the festive period as they look at horse racing betting sites and all the form in search of value selections. Let’s see their race by race analysis for the best of the action from the Greater London track:
Kempton Racing Preview for Friday, 27 December
1:20 – 3m 121y Class 2 Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
The 2023 Lanzarote heroine West Balboa will be popular here despite still being 11lb higher in the weights. Dan Skelton turns to amateur Heidi Palin for the ride as she takes 7lb off with her claim. Others appeal more, however, including DELLA CASA LUNGA after her Listed second at the track last month.
Although disappointing 12 months ago when she could only finish eighth, she should confirm form with Pawapuri. Della Casa Lunga is clearly better than her performance in this race last year suggests and she proved her stamina subsequently with victory around Ludlow. Quicker going is the only concern.
The likes of Larchmont Lass and The Lord Maid must show they stay this far, meanwhile. Royale Margaux has run well on her last couple of starts, so Tom Symonds’ mare looks a big price based on her Ascot second off 4lb lower. The drop back in trip at Cheltenham may have been against her the last day, yet she stayed on into fourth off her current mark. As for the others, they all run from out of the handicap.
1:55 – 2m Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase
Although the latter, trained by Paul Nicholls, loves this track and a sound surface, it is asking an awful lot against these two top horses first time out over fences. Ballyburn can stamp his authority on the 2m novice chase division and harden as Arkle favourite here with Paul Townend staying over from Boxing Day for the ride.
Brookie completes the Wayward Lad line-up for Anthony Honeyball and Rex Dingle. Like Rubaud, he’s a course hurdles winner but miles behind the big boys on ratings. What Brookie does have is more chasing experience than the rest of the field put together but, barring accidents, should take home the wooden spoon and handsome prize money for jumping round.
2:30 – 2m Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase (Limited Handicap)
A spectacular performance from Martator was your winner! 🏆 Here is the Lay & Wheeler Hurst Park Handicap Chase in full. 🏇@VenetiaWRacing @ned_fox #Ascot #Win #Horses https://t.co/mBQZBLmEOI pic.twitter.com/NrQMw8BUZD
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) November 28, 2024
Four of the eight in this Kempton racing co-feature run from out of the weights, so the eye is drawn to the progressive MARTATOR as he bids for a six-timer. Venetia Williams’ French import began his winning sequence off just 118 and has bow reached a mark of 151 for an 11-length romp in the Hurst Park around Ascot.
The runner-up has gone one better since. Martator should confirm that form with re-opposing third Sans Bruit who, although he may be suited by this track, is 4lb out of the handicap. Dual Desert Orchid winner Editeur Du Gite needs to stage a revival, but has come down the weights and Freddie Mitchell takes 5lb off with his claim.
Topweight and Alan King veteran Edwardstone has two falls this calendar year and may struggle to turn the tables on Boothill from their Shloer Chase run behind Jonbon. Harry Fry’s charge is another to have progressed out of handicaps like the selection. It’s tough making cases for the unreliable Calico, maiden Soul Icon and Scottish raider Traprain Law.
3:08 – 3m Class 3 Handicap Chase (0-135)
There is something about going right-handed that brings more out of HIGHSTAKESPLAYER, so Tom Lacey’s chaser could be the answer to a tricky Kempton racing puzzle. Although still 5lb above his last winning mark over course and distance, he showed a rating of 135 wasn’t beyond him when chasing home Chianti Classico in the Sodexo Gold Cup.
If Highstakesplayer can’t go one better than Ascot, then Ludlow winner Dreaming Blue is a danger. Anthony Honeyball’s charge has won three of his last four outings leaving re-opposing third Bass Rock behind earlier this month. Rehearsal Chase winner Frero Banbou has an 8lb hike for Newcastle success, but this is a drop in grade.
It is effectively a 13lb rise, however, for Williams’ nine-year-old, however, as she had a 5lb claimer riding him. A lower class assignment is a plus, but it is a question of whether such a significant amount of extra weight is a burden he can carry. The remainder seem out of form.
3:38 – 2m Class 3 Handicap Hurdle (0-140)
A return to frontrunning tactics might result in VALGRAND confirming the visual impression he made when bolting up at Cheltenham in October. Any Kempton racing event is quite different to Prestbury Park, but making all could easily work around these tight turns. If Dan Skelton’s charge can’t bounce back, then Nicky Henderson has a strong hand.
Taking on Valgrand are the likes of Willmount, who fell three out in the same race that the selection’s change of tactics backfired. Who knows if he would’ve had a say in the finish. Jet Powered also represents Seven Barrows here and looks to get his own career back on track.
Last time out winner Aucunrisque is the only previous course and distance winner in the line-up for Chris Gordon, meanwhile. He has a 4lb rise (effectively 9lb with trainer’s son Freddie no longer taking 5lb off) to contend with from Ascot here. Hansard looks badly-handicapped off topweight, but Ooh Betty could stage a revival down in grade.
