Daily Racing Guide: Kempton looks a cracker
1. Palmers Hill can show his quality
With the Cheltenham Festival now just 17 days away trainer Jonjo O'Neill has his team in good heart, responsible for four winners from his last 14 runners. He has a trio of chances at Kempton Park this afternoon, the best of which may prove to be the returning Palmers Hill in the opening 12.40 contest. Back from a 461-day injury layoff, the 133-rated seven year old is two from four under rules and was last seen taking a red hot Cheltenham handicap in November 2018.
2. Pendil Chase an exciting prospect
Two from two at Kempton Park, official ratings provide a strong hint in the direction of Commanche Red in the 13.15 race at the Sunbury circuit, as Chris Gordon's up and coming gelding has his sights trained on the Grade 2 Pendil Novices' Chase. Now on a mark of 150 following his Christmas time destruction of a good field at this track, astute watchers will also point out the collateral strength of that form, given distant second placed Simply The Betts has since come out and won at Cheltenham, while the third home, stablemate On The Slopes, has subsequently triumphed at Kempton. All indicators point to a big display.
3. Fuhimoto can fly
Blotting her copybook when refusing to line up for a valuable contest at Auteuil back in November, the potentially high class Fujimoto Flyer returns in the 13.50 Kempton, receiving weight from the majority of her rivals in the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle. She had previously won a listed race at Auteuil in September and prior to today's assignment is 16/1 for next month's Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
4. Ch'tibello to state his Cheltenham credentials in the Kingwell
The 12/1 winner of the County Hurdle at last March's Cheltenham Festival, Ch'tibello could very well be using today's 14.25 Kempton as a route back to trying to defend his crown in just under three weeks. The high class nine year old is ultra reliable and has a great shout of landing the rearranged Kingwell Hurdle, a Grade 2 which was lost at Wincanton due to an abandonment. He was last seen finishing a respectable fifth behind Champion Hurdle favourtie Epatante here at Christmas time.
5. Highway One O Two catches the eye in the Dovecote
The fourth Grade 2 on an absolutely superb card, the 15.02 Kempton is a the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle, an enticing prospect which brings together six last time out winners in a field of nine. Mentioned above, Morestead trainer Chris Gordon has his big guns out this afternoon, choosing to unleash hat-trick seeker Highway One O Two in this valuable two mile contest. A pair of wide margin Plumpton victories have given connections of the five year old son of Shirocco reason to be excited.