CHTI BALKO has been given a chance by the handicapper as he makes his return to action in the Athelstaneford – Birthplace Of The Saltire Handicap Hurdle (3.05) at Musselburgh.
The Donald McCain trainee hasn’t seen the inside of a winner’s enclosure since December 2020, after bolting up by 26 lengths at Haydock Park.
But his barren spell has coincided with a fall down the weights.
Chti Balko, whose Haydock win came from a British Horseracing Authority mark of 135, was rated 147 at his peak – but today gets into a 0-115 handicap with a figure of 114.
Chti Balko, ridden by the trainer’s daughter, Abbie, has a decent record when fresh and give in the ground is also a boost to his chance.
If he takes his ‘A’ game to East Lothian, his current plummeting rating is there to be shot at. Come to think of it, even his ‘B’ game may suffice.
Chris Gordon’s horses continue to run well and ONLY MONEY gets the vote to resume winning ways in the Richard Perkins Memorial Handicap Chase (2.45).
On the back of scores at Plumpton and Worcester, the eight-year-old was too keen behind Gunsight Ridge at Aintree 17 days ago, but shouldn’t be written off.
Monday's tip
KEMPTON PARK
12.10 JUPITER ALLEN
12.40 BLOW YOUR WAD
1.15 SAMARRIVE
1.50 MOON KING
2.20 DORKING LAD
2.55 MOLLY OLLYS WISHES
3.25 AMERICAN GERRY
MUSSELBURGH
12.50 MASSINI MAN
1.25 AUBIS WALK
1.57 IDILICO
2.30 MONTE IGUELDO
3.05 CHTI BALKO (NAP)
3.35 ARNICA
LUDLOW
1.05 BRENTFORD HOPE
1.35 BORN AT MIDNIGHT
2.10 LANGLEY HUNDRED
2.45 ONLY MONEY (NB)
3.15 GLANCE AT ME
3.45 GERARD MENTOR
DAILY DOUBLE: CHTI BALKO and ONLY MONEY
