Today's racing may not look like much but, even for those who refuse to have a bet, there is one race that will almost certainly be worth watching. The Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novices Hurdle at Navan has been a regular source of future stars -- Commanche Court and Harbour Pilot won it as five-year-olds, while more recent winners include Newmill and Aran Concerto. Kicking King and Nicanor ran well without winning in other years.
Gem Daly looks a fine prospect and may have been unlucky to have been beaten last time but it strikes me that his position as favourite owes much to the reputation of his trainer, Noel Meade. Both he and Decoy Daddy have recent form with Venalmar and, whichever way you read it, the comparison favours Decoy Daddy (1.25).
The day's other big race is also in Ireland, the Hilly Way Chase at Cork, but this is not a race that appeals from a betting perspective.
With Musselburgh abandoned, the all-weather action at Kempton represents the total sum of racing available in Britain today. Seneschal (2.00) should have won at Lingfield last time, when his inexperienced rider kept him on the slowest part of the track in the home straight and he was swamped close home. It is not completely certain that Richard Hughes will ride a better race today but this is a fairly treated horse in fine form and the current 12-1 is too big.
I am told there are also good words for Abbondanza (1.30) and Dichoh (2.30).
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