Horse racing appears to have awarded itself a quiet weekend, with the Grand National next Saturday and other major races on the horizon. As the feature contest is a Listed race for fillies on the all-weather Polytrack, one imagines that betting turnover will not be high but there are winners to be found just the same.
At 6-1 it is possible that Hunaina (3.15) at Kempton will be the latest in a long line of French runners to be underestimated by us Brits. She finished strongly to be beaten just a neck at this level at Deauville in January and has since beaten an André Fabre hotpot at Chantilly, suggesting she is good enough for Saturday’s Snowdrop Stakes.
1.50 Kelso A winning pointer back in the day, Hills Of Dubai now tackles three miles over fences for the first time and the signs are that the extra distance will help him take another step forward. The chestnut is one to stick with against the three exposed rivals he faces here.
2.05 Kempton A marvel of consistency on the all-weather, Tomily is in the form of his life and can make this a third straight success in sprint handicaps. He has been raised only 2lb for clinging on over six furlongs last time and this drop back to five can show him in an even better light.
2.25 Kelso There is nothing lenient about his rating for this handicap debut but Taxmeifyoucan is the progressive, unexposed one here. His jumping improved when he came here last time to win a novice hurdle and the second has since hosed up in a Grade Three handicap at Sandown, which is why Taxmeifyoucan is a bit higher than might be expected.
2.40 Kempton There is something to be said for the veteran Tropics, who has a fine strike-rate on the all-weather, though he has possibly not been at his best at this track. But Raucous is too well treated to be passed up, in the hope that a change of stables has enlivened him. He has dropped 11lb in the weights through the last year but won on his seasonal reappearance and could do so again this time.
3.00 Kelso Three times a winner at this track, Seldom Inn did not have much chance at the weights when he ran here in February but this handicap presents him with a better opportunity. He is 12lb better off with Yala Enki, who beat him seven lengths in this race 12 months ago.
3.35 Kelso Like most of his stablemates Eminent Poet has done little this season but he returned to form last time out and still looks on a reasonable mark after the rise in the ratings for that. He is narrowly preferred to the doughty Kris Spin.
Kempton 1.30 Kinks 2.05 Tomily 2.40 Raucous 3.15 Hunaina 3.50 Dathanna 4.25 Kings Shield 5.00 Author's Dream (nb)
Kelso 1.50 Hills Of Dubai 2.25 Taxmeifyoucan 3.00 Seldom Inn 3.35 Eminent Poet 4.10 Martiloo 4.45 Haul Us In 5.20 Cultram Abbey
Uttoxeter 1.55 Hartside 2.30 Hurricane Dylan 3.05 Billy Hicks 3.40 Town Parks 4.15 Loch Linnhe 4.50 Newberry New 5.25 Easter Gold
Fakenham 2.15 Gregarious (nap) 2.50 Heresmynumber 3.25 Pacific De Baune 4.00 Iconic Sky 4.35 Remind Me Later 5.10 Monsieur Co 5.40 Eclair De Guye
Wolverhampton 5.45 Grecian Divine 6.15 Onefootinparadise 6.45 Masaarr 7.15 Fire Diamond 7.45 Dream Magic 8.15 Seven Clans 8.45 Foie Gras
