SATURDAY
KEMPTON
2.20 KEMPTON PARK 888SPORT.COM SILVER PLATE – 2 M 5 F
LA VATICANE is an intriguing runner in this competitive handicap for David Pipe and Tom Scudamore.
She is making her British debut having won three times in her native France over slightly shorter trips. Any further deterioration of the ground will certainly see her in a better light and she will have a tongue tie to assist with her breathing. Aux Ptits Soins boasted a similar profile when running away with the Coral Cup at Cheltenham on Wednesday and David Pipe is a master at getting these imported runners to perform well first time out as proven with the likes of Dell’ Arca in the past.
Thundering Home has been in excellent form all season and is another that would prefer a bit of cut in the ground. Jack Sherwood is a useful amateur that takes off a handy five pounds and if handling this marked step up in grade, they could provide the biggest threat. La Vaticane is completely unexposed and connections will be hoping for a huge performance.
LINGFIELD
3.05 CORAL.CO.UK WINTER DERBY (GROUP 3) – 1 M 2 F
Tryster is a rapidly improving four year old in search of a fourth win from his last five starts. He seems to have improved for this step up in trip and he relishes an artificial surface. Recent victories at Chelmsford, Kempton, and Wolverhampton mean he comes here in the form of his life and he remains unexposed compared to a few of his rivals. Adam Kirby is two from three on this son of Shamardal and with Charlie Appleby excelling the duo should be more than capable of going close.
Grandeur and Grendisar squared up against each other over this course and distance last month with the latter coming out on top. It is worth noting that the run was a first for Grandeur in almost four months and he is likely to have improved for the outing. Ryan Moore is booked and the combination look the biggest threat to the selection. Four year olds have an excellent record in this race and Tryster can continue his progress.
UTTOXETER
3.50 BETFRED MIDLANDS GRAND NATIONAL CHASE (LISTED HANDICAP) – 4 M 1 F 110 YDS
Catching On should prove difficult to beat given that he has progressed at a rapid rate of knots this winter. He was upped in trip at Exeter last time out and the further he went the better he looked. This extra couple of furlongs looks to be right up his street and he will be fully at home on soft or heavy ground. He is set to receive weight from all bar one rival and lightly weighted sorts have done extremely well in this contest in recent years.
Woodford County could take full advantage of his previous course experience and his featherweight in order to put up the biggest opposition to the selection. Tony McCoy won this race on the ill-fated Synchronised back in 2010 and he will be keen to repeat the feat for the team at Jackdaws Castle.
Selections:
Saturday
Kempton 2.20 – La Vaticane
Lingfield 3.05-Tryster
Uttoxeter 3.50 – Catching On
