Four decent cards today but easily the biggest source of excitement is the sight of Kicking King's name among the overnight declarations for Gorwan tomorrow. It is very hard to imagine this horse could be anywhere near as good as he was when last seen, winning the 2005 King George, but trainer Tom Taaffe feels he hasn't lost any ability. Fingers crossed that Gowran is fit to race tomorrow, so we can see one of the most fluent, athletic chasers of recent years back in action.
From the sublime to Lingfield, where every finish brings heartbreak for someone. Last week, backers of Crimson Fern (1.20) were tearing their hair out after she got done on the line, but today brings a big chance for the filly to go one better. Simon Walker is easily the best of the amateur riders taking part and Crimson Fern has not yet had her handicap mark raised for her near-miss.
Jockeys are important round this tricky track and I'm putting my faith in George Baker to get the job done on Kingsgate Castle (1.50) in the next. Baker consistently returns a level-stakes profit round here and his mount would be a legitimate form choice in any case.
Novice handicap chases are not my preferred punting vehicle but Ever So Slightly (2.10) is an intriguing runner at Huntingdon. Always likely to prove a chaser, he's making his fences debut on a handicap mark determined by his form over hurdles -- plus, this is his first run since being switched from Sue Smith to Venetia Williams, who can be relied on to get the best out of him. Today's stamina test should be right up his cup of tea and this is the time to be on him.
I saw Georges Boy (3.40) last time, when he was worn down by Shardakhan in the Kempton mud, and my first thought was that it would take a lot out of him. But I read in today's Racing Post that connections feel he's better for the run and, since these are his conditions, I'm prepared to take their word for it. There are question marks about all his rivals.
Georgie The Fourth (7.20) is today's nap under the Kempton floodlights. Her only previous outing came in another maiden over this course and distance last July, when she was beaten by one of Barry Hills's who'd had a previous outing and was narrowly beaten in a Group 3 the next month. Eoghan O'Neill's runners are flying at the moment -- he's 5/8 since the start of December -- and Georgie The Fourth is too big at over 2-1.
In the day's getting-out stakes, Fantasy Legend (9.20) takes the eye, running on the Flat for the first time since leaving Nick Littmoden last autumn. He's improved over hurdles for his new yard, who are in fine form, and this is a rotten-looking contest.
1.20pm Simon Walker guides 15-8 Crimson Fern to victory
Can't help feeling he was a little lucky with the way the field opened up for him on the home turn, but he was able to take advantage.
1.52pm Kingsgate Castle wins at 4-6
Heart in mouth for a few strides but he got there eventually. The blog appears to be 2/2 at Lingfield today. Who would have thunk it?
Ever So Slightly wrong about that one
A gripping finish to the 2.10 at Huntingdon but Ever So Slightly was never going to be involved in it. He put in one of the worst displays of jumping I've seen, short of falling, and even 'banked' the open ditch in front of the stands. I guess that's why novice handicap chases don't make good punting vehicles . . .
2.30pm Flame Creek -- remember him? -- wins at Lingfield
About five years ago, when trained by Noel Chance, this beast was the next Looks Like Trouble. The only problem was he turned out not to like jumping fences very much. Now he's won a 0-75 handicap on the Polytrack at the age of 12. Maybe that's what Ever So Slightly will be doing in 2013.
No joy with Georges Boy
Having talked up his chances in the paper this morning, Charlie Studd fell off him at the third. That'll teach him to open his mouth.
2/4 with 2 to go
There's a fair bit of money for Georgie The Fourth, now trading at just over 7-4 on the leading betting exchange. The market for Fantasy Legend's race hasn't really got going yet.
Good luck to those who follow tonight's tips. Ron's back in the hot seat tomorrow.
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