8:30 Kempton Tips

This eleven-year-old veteran sprinter arrives with a long losing run of thirteen. However, in a low-grade sprint like this, his proven class and course form make him a high-value contender despite his recent poor results. He is a six-time winner over this course and distance (C&D) from 20 attempts and has won eight times at Kempton. He runs off an official rating (OR) of 60, and his mark continues to ease, which is vital for a horse of his age. His last run 16 days ago saw him finish seventh, but he was caught wider than ideal at Wolverhampton, which may excuse the performance. ​Track & Trip ​The 6f trip on the Kempton Polytrack is his absolute domain. He boasts a 30% strike rate over this C&D and an excellent 28.6% strike rate at the course. He thrives on the All-Weather surface, having won ten races on it. With top jockey Luke Morris booked (who has a 12.07% strike rate in the last 14 days), the stable is putting the right pieces in place to engineer a return to form at his most successful track. He knows exactly how to win a Kempton sprint at this level.

Beau Jardine is in stall 1. Although beaten last time out, he did plenty early but kept grinding off the 52 mark. He is a Kempton C&D placer twice, with 40% with blinkers and a 10% strike rate at this 51 mark. Kieran O'Neill rides, so I expect a rail-hugging stalk, closer to pace for a late kick. He does look like a very good each-way chance today and should be ready to bounce back here.

Pinjarra looked on the up when scoring decisively at Southwell and still looks fairly treated despite the 6 lb rise. She’s progressing well and handles 5 to 7 f on both turf and all-weather. While the wide draw adds a challenge, she’s definitely in the mix if she gets a clear run.

Race 9 at Kempton today is the Friends of Heros Handicap over 1,200 m, Class 6 for 3yo+ on the Polytrack. The suggested wager is a straight win on the 6yo gelding Papa Don't Preach from the K. Frost yard. He will be ridden by Alec Volkhansky. This son of Kodiac is a two-time winner and has been running threatening races for some time now. He is doing everything right but just not winning, which is starting to be very expensive to follow, as once again he looks top dollar for the win.

Not run for a while but does run well at this course, as the previous C/D wins testify. On a decent-looking rating and with four places on offer, may not win this but has a good shout of making the frame at decent each-way odds.

Spendmore Lane has been knocking on the door recently, and I feel the step up to 6 furlongs will lose her maiden tag. It has taken a while for her to get the hang of things, but it looks promising this time.

C&D victor. Secured a notable 3rd in a handicap at Wolverhampton 9 days ago, lacking in the final half-furlong. His recent track record is solid, but he will need things to align perfectly from the widest stall. Still, he looks like a worthwhile each-way option at 14/1.

Horus is 1-1 in the month of December. That win came in 2024 when he landed a Class 5 handicap over 6 furlongs on Polytrack. He was a fresh colt on that occasion and was only narrowly beaten into second place on his next outing. Second time up today, six pounds lower in the weights and racing at Class 6 level, I can't ignore Horus at big odds.