After an exhilarating weekend of racing action, we hope to keep momentum rolling as we have three nice cards to get stuck into. Flat enthusiasts will have to wait for their next set of fixtures, as today we have three National Hunt cards to enjoy, at Chepstow, Kempton and Warwick.
We have decent field sizes at all three tracks, but due to Kempton’s popularity it could be correct to assume the dividend there may be the one to swell to the biggest amount. This suggests it could be worth a crack, and it is to Kempton where we head for our placepot picks.
Leg One: Argot
It is hard to oppose the well-fancied Argot in the opener, after Charlie Longsdon’s four-year-old has impressed on all three efforts over hurdles so far. He finished a decent fourth in a hot race at Market Rasen on debut, where he was beaten by subsequent impressive winners Seamour and Pain Au Chocolat, before he improved to take second behind the classy Buckwheat.
He was given a short break before returning to the track to take second spot again, going down thanks to a McCoy special on-board Scoop the Pot. A repeat of this run should see him go well against rivals who may need the experience of a run over hurdles, before they are seen to their best.
Leg Two: Herbert Park
There will be plenty of interest around Herbert Park in leg two, after David Pipe’s five-year-old has four solid efforts to his name, including a short-head victory over subsequent Fred Winter winner, Qualando. He is yet to finish outside of the first two and this looks set to continue, as he bids to enhance his ever-growing reputation.
He was turned over when odds-on last time out at Taunton, but he was giving away a lot of weight to the classy Mister Grez, and the pair pulled well clear of the remainder. Kieron Edgar takes five-pound of his back this afternoon and he looks in much better shape to take advantage, so it would be a slight surprise should he not make the frame.
Leg Three: Midnight Chorister
We have to make do with a three-runner affair in leg three, meaning we must find the winner to progress in our pursuit of landing the placepot prize. Artifice Sivola is sure to prove popular, but this appeals as the ideal horse to get try and get beat to ensure the dividend rises, as plenty are sure to crash out should he not deliver.
Attentions turn to Midnight Chorister, who looks set to serve up a massive challenge after a game success at Stratford last time out. He showed tremendous battling qualities when grinding down two determined rivals, and he appeas to be coming into good form at the right time. The seven-year-old is sure to put pressure on the favourite’s jumping and any flaws will be exposed. He will relish the trip and will gallop all the way to the line, so he could be worth following to upset the odds slightly.
Leg Four: Under the Phone
After landing a determined success over course-and-distance three starts ago, Under the Phone has failed to show too much spark since. He has been outpaced at crucial times in hot races, including when losing ground on the field in a class two at this afternoon’s course last time out.
He has plenty of experience and looks to have tremendous ability on his day. The six-year-old has dropped to a nice mark and appears to be in a prime position to at least make the frame. Joseph Palmowski gets on well with the horse and his seven-pound claim enhances his claims even further, at what appears an attractive price.
Leg Five: Rhapando
It often pays to keep an eye on horses who have return to lesser company after seemingly disappointing in hotter races. Rhapando fits the bill in the penultimate leg, although it may be harsh to say he disappointed, as on his last effort he was going well before a mistake put paid to his chances and he was pulled up for his own safety.
Before this, he won a race which has produced five subsequent winners, and had been going well against some really eye-catching rivals. He has been put away for a nice break after his December mishap and he should arrive in good health ahead of this afternoon’s task, for which he should be able to mount a big challenge.
Leg Six: Poker School
Despite slowly creeping up the weights, the unexposed Poker School looks one to firmly keep on side after finding just one too good on his last two starts. Firstly the well-regarded Smart Catch and then more recently the gallant Greybougg, who went very close against the talented Morito Du Berlais yesterday afternoon.
Ian Williams’ five-year-old is still improving and finding his way over hurdles, yet after losing little in defeat last time out, the strong-travelling sort looks good value to finally get his head in-front this afternoon. He looks set to make a bold bid whatever the outcome, and he looks the best option to hopefully land any followers a piece of the Kempton placepot.