Four meetings on a midweek card, and the shape of it is clear enough. Beverley and Hamilton carry the afternoon, Newton Abbot keeps the jumps ticking over, and Kempton’s all-weather evening is where the day really opens up. There is a short-priced banker on the card, but most of the interest sits with the bigger numbers, so we have spread the staking accordingly.
Start at Beverley, where the closer takes the eye. South Shore built his profile back into focus on Tapeta last time and the hood goes back on here. He should have won over this course and distance last July before getting hampered, and off a mark of 56 he looks well treated. Earlier on the card, Sydney Carton makes his debut for James Owen. He is an Ulysses colt closely related to a 1m6f to 2m2f winner rated 99, out of a Listed-placed dam and a half-brother to a string of winners. The hood goes on first time, which suggests they want him switched off and learning.
Hamilton is where the value lives. Gentle Warrior won twice over around 1m6f last September and steps back up towards that trip today. He was beaten at a short price at Nottingham 18 days ago but ran better there than on his quiet return, and K R Burke’s runner should be sharper for it. The one to keep onside at a bigger price is Classy Al. Jim Goldie’s veteran has won seven times in his career, two of those over this course and distance at the minimum trip, and he is running himself back into form in a winnable Class 4. At 9.0 each-way he is worth a small interest. Binadham and Yaaser fill out the each-way plays in that same race and later on the card.
Kempton is anchored by Water To Wine, who won on debut at Newbury over 1m3f and was strong in the market that day. He shoulders a 7lb penalty here, but with a scratched Chester Vase run and an Arc entry already on his page, the regard is obvious. Lightly raced and clearly held in high esteem, he is the banker of the night even at a skinny price. Around him, Boatswain and Bulletin give us something each-way later in the evening.
Yesterday gave us three winners to bank, with Early Release at 8.5, Andalprofit and Ascending Star both at 4.5 all obliging.
Plenty to get stuck into, then, with the real shape of the day waiting until the Kempton lights come on.