Racecards
14:50 Kempton Park
Betfred Poker Handicap Chase (Class 4)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Form 245355
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 100
in touch, hampered 4th, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
- Form 6-1P265
- Age 9
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey C Poste
hit 1st, never travelling in rear, jumped left from 10th, behind and pulled up before 13th
- Form 87-4713
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer Miss A M Newton-Smith
- Jockey Matthew Batchelor
chased leaders, struggling when blundered 13th, soon weakened, pulled up before last
Methodical
33- Form 8-P15FP
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
led, mistake 4 out, soon headed, rallied and every chance next, weakened 2 out
- Form 7-9P415
- Age 12
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 95
in rear from 4th
- Form 7033F-1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 91
- Trainer K C Bailey
- Jockey T Siddall
with leader until 12th, soon weakened, pulled up after 4 out
Power King (IRE)
400- Form 9P/490-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey J W Farrelly
in touch, ridden after 13th, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, rallied flat, just held
- Form 78/0215-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer J A T de Giles
- Jockey Felix de Giles
held up, steady progress from 13th, ridden to challenge 3 out, led next, all out
- Form 47-U43P
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer Miss S Smith
- Jockey M Bradburne
in touch, hampered 3rd, ridden after 11th, never able to get on terms, weakened 3 out
- Form 6-2336P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey W P Kavanagh
chasing leaders when fell 3rd
Verdict
A race that looks cherry picked for the Scoop six punters and the experience of THE HARDY BOY makes him our reluctant selection with Alfadora and Constantius the others of note among a lamentable bunch. The selection is an admirable old stick around Plumpton and in fairness to him, his most recent effort away from his favourite track was highly creditable. In a race that makes limited appeal, he is at least reliable. Alfadora can go well fresh so the break shouldn't be a problem. A well made individual, he is often backed with good reason so watch the market. Constantius has won one race from 12 and had shown sporadic form at best beforehand. Power King makes a debut for David Pipe. He had been supported many moons ago in a Hereford bumper but failed to beat anything home. Alcatras is potentially well treated on some of his earlier form though such an analogy is somewhat flawed as he is very much at the veteran stage of his career. Benitez makes a debut for Roger Teal having left Tim Vaughan since his latest start. Hello My Lovely never gave the bookmakers a moments worry at Folkestone last time out. An extremely moderate race where any advice to follow The Hardy Boy is given to the mantra of a minimum stakes play.