3:40 Kempton Tips

Despite being so inexperienced, the 7 lb claiming apprentice (was 10 lb until recently) on this one is posting some exceptional stats, and he is worth following to make it a hat-trick of wins on this horse. The other two were incredibly easy. As a result, the horse has shot up the handicap now but looks to have improved and is only a 6-year-old, so could well have plenty more to offer. The horse fits a lot of the age, weight, and form trends for this race, and he is clearly the one they all have to beat.

Kap Boy is a 6yo gelding, sired by Kapgarde and out of a dam who is a half-sister to French Crusader, also by Kapgarde, who was 3/11 wins rated141 (won on good ground) for Nicky Henderson - Kap Boy makes his third start for Olly Murphy, and the horse is owned by top connections in Mrs Diana L. Whateley. He runs off 120, which looks a workable mark given his facile 7l win on stable debut, trotting up by 7 lengths and posting a career-high RPR of 124. He previously finished 2/9 at Ffos Las with the 3/9 Scorpio Rising 2 lengths behind (106), who has won twice since and is now rated 121. Kap Boy should easily be capable of 130+ in the capable hands of Olly Murphy, who is a master when it comes to handicap hurdles (132/517 wins since 2020, boasting a 25.2% win strike rate). Today’s good ground is likely to bring about some improvement rather than be a hindrance. Kap Boy will no doubt figure.

Believeitanducan looks to have more improvement to come. After winning three out of five of its races so far, the Alan King runner has certainly looked progressive in its races. With luck in running and jumping here today, it could be involved in the finish.

This is a much tougher contest than the one that he won over two miles at this track earlier this season. He has regularly shaped as if a longer trip is going to suit him, so it is interesting that his yard steps him up in this better race.

Unexposed here and won at Doncaster before finishing 3rd here last time out back in February. Ran well from a break last time, and the wind op might just boost performance.

Another consistent one to follow who rarely runs a bad race. This is a tougher assignment but looks capable of making the frame at least, with four places on offer.

King Of The Road rates a cracking each-way bounce back here at 18/1. 16th at Cheltenham on a somewhat brutal soft ground, and the trip was too far. Mark of 113 is now 2 lb below the last winning effort. With a solid course placing, cheekpieces going on for the first time, and Pritchard claiming 3 lb off, what's not to like here?

Has only had five starts but has won twice and placed in the other three races. Not seen since December 2023, but has every chance if retaining that ability off a 6 lb lower mark.