Horse Racing Tips: Timeform’s Fancies for Monday at Kempton

8mo ago

Timeform’s Kempton racing tips

14:00 – Cinque Verde
14:30 – Romantic Opera
15:05 – Boujee Gold
15:40 – Al’mosh’her
16:15 – Brunel Charm
16:45 – Alshimali
17:15 – Bank On Kent
17:45 – Cosmic Force
18:15 – Bell Shot

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

14:00 – Cinque Verde

Not the strongest of races for the grade, but CINQUE VERDE has an admirable record on the all-weather and was in fine form when winning at Wolverhampton nine days ago.

She can be slowly away on occasion, but wasn’t that day, and there doesn’t look likely to be a breakneck tempo here, so she should be able to get a good position regardless. Pure Angel looks a standout danger having turned in her best effort of the winter last time.

Of the others, dual course winner Just A Spark would be of some interest if the market hints that a return to form is on the cards, while Shallow would be a big player if allowed an easy time on the lead (Timeform pace prediction of ‘weak’).

14:30 – Romantic Opera

Godolphin might hold the key to this race, and it will be worth monitoring the betting as Charlie Appleby fields two interesting fillies who both look to have strong claims.

The once-raced ROMANTIC OPERA, a 500,000 guineas yearling who is a half-sister to the smart winner up to 1m Indestructible and 1m winner Summit, is taken to build on her eye-catching debut effort and can take this at the expense of well-bred stablemate Pearl of Hope who has done little wrong in two starts and should also relish this longer trip (dam 1¼m/10.5f winner).

Likely pace-setter Blue Laced has improved with every run and should not be underestimated, either.

15:05 – Boujee Gold

It may well be a Tony Caroll-trained 1-2 with his representatives BOUJEE GOLD and River Wharfe, both arriving here in good form and with solid claims.

Despite the last-named having a Timeform ‘Sectional Flag’, preference is for the former, a Timeform ‘Horse In Focus’ who was successful at Wolverhampton on her penultimate start and she probably would’ve followed up at the same course 13 days ago had things panned out better (left poorly placed).

Course winner Heerathetrack is third on the list, with recent C&D winner Stella Hogan looking vulnerable under a penalty despite taking well to the headgear combination last time out.

15:40 – AlMosh’her

Connections have had a good time of late and ALMOSH’HER landed a few tidy bets on debut at Southwell, where the re-opposing Nahy was an eye-catching sixth just over three weeks ago.

Possessing plenty of physical scope, Charlie Fellowes’ four-year-old is fancied to defy a penalty stepping up in distance at the expense of Fireblade, who looks consistent rather than progressive and may have to settle for a fourth silver medal.

Newcomer Amazonian, a sister to the 1m4f-14.4f winner River Of Stars, ticks plenty of boxes on paper so she can fight out third with the aforementioned Nahy.

The stoutly-bred Sawgrass from the family of Stay Alert is another to consider on debut.

16:15 – Brunel Charm

It’s been a long time between drinks, but C&D winner BRUNEL CHARM has been given a chance by the handicapper and shaped better than the bare result when third over C&D last month.

A Timeform ‘Horse In Focus’, he gets the nod. McCauley’s Tavern, who has a good record at the course, and recent Wolverhampton winner Prince of Bel Lir (who has a 4 lb penalty here) can also make their presence felt.

Given his tumbling handicap mark, Voodoo Ray is one to keep an eye on in the betting at the very foot of the weights.

16:45 – Alshimali

The former Marcus Tregoning-trained ALSHIMALI was having just his third start for Tony Carroll when narrowly denied at Southwell last month and is fancied to open his account, having shown plenty to work with on all three starts.

Top-weight Court Drive, who drops in grade here thanks to a falling handicap mark, and two-time C&D winner Man On A Mission may provide the chief threats ahead of Smasher, who was left poorly placed when held at Chelmsford last time out.

Any market support for The Smiling Wolf, back at the scene of his best recent run, should be noted.

17:15 – Bank On Kent

The step back up in trip should suit BANK ON KENT, who only found himself collared by one horse last time, and he looks the safest option in a tricky-looking contest.

Perhaps most in his favour is the prospect of an easy time of things on the lead, given a lack of rivals for the pace and a Timeform pace prediction of ‘weak’.

Rage of Thunder, whom the handicapper has gently eased again, and Distant Rumble, who has been gelded since two placed efforts at Bath in the autumn, can also make their presence felt.

17:45 – Cosmic Force

Though COSMIC FORCE has failed to trouble the judge in his two starts since switching to the all-weather/handicap company, the suspicion remains that he’s capable of better.

Perhaps the addition of a tongue strap will help and he shades preference ahead of Piranha Rama, who will be a big threat if able to bounce back from a below-par effort last time.

Handicap-debutante Commendation is also of interest given her pedigree (dam a half-sister to the Dewhurst/2000 Guineas winner Chaldean) and in-form yard/connections.

Robert Havlin catches the eye aboard Jane Garfield and she is another to consider now dropped back to a more suitable trip.

18:15 – Bell Shot

BELL SHOT has returned to form with cheekpieces refitted the last twice, including when third over this C&D on his penultimate start.

Though he doesn’t have tons in hand in terms of his handicap mark on recent efforts, Mick Appleby’s charge is well-treated on old form and is marginally preferred to in-form rivals King of Ithaca and King David, while G’Daay is also capable of making an impact if on-song, as all the usual headgear is left off once more.

The consistent maiden Groovy Baby, who has been second or third on six of her last seven starts, completes the shortlist.