Kempton Trophy Day Betting Tips

The last big handicap chase before Cheltenham takes place at Kempton on Saturday as the race which was made famous as the Racing Post Chase takes place in its current guise as the Trophy Handicap Chase (15:35).

This Premier Handicap over a sharp three miles is a specialist test and is the highlight on a fantastic card which also features three Grade 2 races - the Pendil Novices’ Chase (13:50), the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (14:25) and the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (15:00).

There are seven races in all at Kempton on Saturday and we have selected our best bets.

13:15 - Handicap Hurdle (2m5f)

This is a tough opener and the one to be on is COURT IN THE ACT, who was successful on his sole start at this course in December last year and confirmed his liking for a right-handed course when bolting up by eight lengths at Market Rasen in October. He was well beaten when tailed off in last at Windsor last time, but that was a red-hot race and he wasn’t able to take up his favoured early position. The step up by five furlongs in trip might bring further improvement and he is still lightly raced, so remains unexposed.

Selection: Court In The Act

13:50 - Pendil Novices’ Chase (Grade 2, 2m4½f)

This looks like a good opportunity for RUBAUD, who was a class act over hurdles and showed that he can transfer that form to chasing when second behind L’Eau Du Sud at Warwick last time. All of his best form over hurdles came at Kempton, so this course suits him well, and he gets weight from several of these rivals. He is unproven at this trip, but stayed on the Flat in France and kept on strongly at Warwick last time. Trainer Paul Nicholls has won this 13 times and this is a golden opportunity for him to add another big victory.

Selection: Rubaud

14:25 - Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m)

A classy race can go to a smart performer in the shape of MONDO MAN. The four-year-old was a quality Flat horse who finished fifth in the Group 1 French Derby at Chantilly and fourth in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. He transferred a good deal of that ability to hurdling when chasing home Triumph Hurdle favourite Lulamba at Ascot on his debut over obstacles and he raced far too keenly on that occasion. A reproduction of that form would probably be good enough and Mondo Man could improve again if settling better.

Selection: Mondo Man

15:00 - Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m)

The one to beat is MIAMI MAGIC, who was successful over course and distance in November and took an even bigger step forward when second behind the top-class Potters Charm in the Grade 1 Formby Hurdle at Aintree last time. That form is clearly the best on offer and there should be more to come from this six-year-old, who will be having only his fourth run over hurdles. He gets the vote ahead of Andashan, another front-runner who might be capable of shaking up Miami Magic if he gets his own way on the lead.

Selection: Miami Magic

15:35 - Trophy (Premier Handicap, 3m)

The feature race of the day could go to Paul Nicholls and TAHMURAS. He was a clear second in the Pendil Novices’ Chase at this fixture last season and stayed on strongly, shaping like he would improve over further. He stepped up to 3m for the first time in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby over Christmas and ran a cracker to finish fourth. He was second until the final half-furlong and definitely stayed the trip. This sharper track will suit Tahmuras and he could be dangerous granted a lesser test of stamina this time around.

Selection: Tahmuras

16:10 - Handicap Chase (2m4½f)

This could be another one for Nicholls, who runs SOLO. The nine-year-old was rated 149 at his peak but is now down to a 10lb lower mark of 139 and is too well handicapped to ignore. He is a course-and-distance winner who has two wins, a second and a third from six starts at Kempton and simply loves it there. The step back up in trip by five furlongs is certain to suit Solo, whose last win came over the course and distance, and he could bounce back to his best form.

Selection: Solo

16:45 - Open National Hunt Flat Race (2m)

This is always one of the strongest bumpers of the season and it can go to ONE KNIGHT. The Emma Lavelle-trained gelding took a big step forward from his disappointing debut at Warwick when springing a 25-1 surprise in a bumper at Southwell last time and that race was run in a good time. There should be plenty more to come from One Knight, who is partnered by Harry Cobden and the champion jockey has a 23 per cent strike-rate for Lavelle in recent seasons. That suggests a big run is on the cards.

Selection: One Knight

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation