tracked leader, led soon after 5th, in command 2 out, stayed on strongly
tracked leaders, chased winner soon after 3 out, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd 2 out, weakened
keen hold, held up in 4th, closed up 5th, went 3rd before 2 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression
held up, brief effort 5th, weakened quickly next
led, ridden and headed soon after 5th, weakened quickly
held up, hit 1st, held up in 5th, plugged on one pace, no chance from 3 out
not fluent, well in rear, mistake 4th, tailed off next
held up in 5th, brief effort 5th, soon struggling tailed off
Nonrunner
Kicks For Free has the class to prevail over Blythe Knight, De Soto and Speed Winner, with newcomers Khyber Kim, Red Birr and Super Sensation best watched. The action unfolds at Kempton with a decent looking novices' hurdle in which the class and experience of Kicks For Free can tell over some progressive rivals. The Paul Nicholls inmate was a beaten favourite at Cheltenham recently when having to settle for the runner's-up spot behind Tidal Bay, the second time he has finished behind that rival. A mistake at the last did not help his cause, and although he would have been held anyway, he remains a useful animal. Come the Supreme Novices' in March, there may well be a few more fancied on the day, but for now he can continue to make his presence felt and is the pick of today's bunch. Blythe Knight did not get the best of luck in running at Uttoxeter where the ground was very testing anyway, but he had earlier looked the part when making a winning debut over timber at Bangor, and the former Lincoln winner can give the selection most to do. Paul Webber is double-handed with Red Birr and De Soto, with the latter preferred because of his experience over timber, and likewise with Gary Moore's duo of Super Sensation and Speed Winner. All will win plenty of races, but Kicks For Free sets the standard and is the one to beat here.
De Soto 11-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, led well after 2 out, pushed clear flat, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs beating Oceanos des Obeaux (10-12) by 6l, 14 ran.
Kicks For Free (IRE) Evensfav (11-8) Held up, headway 3rd, disputing lead when mistake last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Tidal Bay (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) sft.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 4-7fav (11-5) Held up in touch, switched right approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Little Rocker (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Red Birr (IRE) 15-8fav (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Solo Flight (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov (Flat).
Rowdy Yeats (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and weakened 7th, 12th of 16, well behind Carnival Town (10-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Speed Winner (AUS) 3-1jt-fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, went 3rd approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, held run-in, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Jades Double (9-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft.
Super Sensation (GER) (9-7) Mid-division, one pace, 8th of 12, 6l behind Little Eddie (8-8) at Halle 1m 1f hcp gd in Oct (Flat).
Tarkesar (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up and keen, never on terms, 7th of 17, well behind Wizard of Us (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Khyber Kim 11-4fav (9-0) In touch, led main group over 4f out, headed over 1f out, weakened, 4th of 14, 8l behind Degas Art (8-6) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stk (1) sft in Sept (Flat).
Flower Haven 16-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 11, 14l behind Toparudi (11-2) at Fakenham 2m cnd mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
