Saturday
It's a good day of action tomorrow with three good cards at Kempton, Wetherby & Warwick. I've taken aim at a couple of the big handicaps starting with the Lanzarote at Kempton. The step up in trip promises to suit NEMEAN LION who I fancied for the Greatwood over 2 miles but he seemed to be tapped for toe at the wrong time and ended up a respectable 5th. His connections undoubtedly think he might be better than a handicapper with entries in the Champion Hurdle and Stayers Hurdle already made so I have to almost fancy him again for this race at odds of around 7/1.
At a bigger price I think MARK OF GOLD can run well as he looks to have been tuned up for this race with a couple of prep runs this season. This was the scene of his dominant victory last season where he made a mockery of a mark in the high 120's so ease to a 14 length success. A repeat of that performance will surely see him go close.
The Classic Chase at Warwick is going to be hard work and you will need one that stays. I was impressed with how RAPPER ran at Cheltenham last time in a race which was not your average handicap. The progressive novice Broadway Boy won the race with Protektorat back in third so the form looks strong and he was only 8 lengths off them. Alice Stevens claims a handy 5lb off today which takes him below his last winning mark. I think he can outrun his odds.
MAJOR DUNDEE will appreciate any drying in the ground in the next 24 hours as his better form is on a sounder surface. Alan King is sure he can take out one of these big staying chases this season and he looks to be primed to run well at a track he has performed well at before. At around 10/1 he looks a decent each way bet also.
Kempton 2.42 – Nemean Lion / Mark Of Gold
Warwick 3.00 – Rapper / Major Dundee
