21:15 The floodlights were on for the last race and the last of the sun disappears and a chill settles in over Kempton.
The planes are still lining up as they carry out their approach into Heathrow – this course is a delight for plane spotters – I have just seen the Air Canada flight from Toronto coming in.
Our final race was the longest of the evening 1½ miles.
The betting says this is a two horse race with Mixing and Ardmaddy heading the field.
In the end neither played any part in the finish with Tomina, trained by Emma Lavelle and ridden by David Probert taking the race by an increasing five lengths from Alexaner Guru in second with Critical Stage a further 2 lengths back in third.
Of the top two in the betting Mixing was a never nearer fifth at the finish whilst Ardmaddy finished almost last.
Sadly Sol Rojo lost his life in the race.
20:45 A mile handicap for our sixth race with a thrilling finish and, arguably, a lucky winner.
Naughty Frieda under John Egan was the winner from King Colombo a head back in second. However the really unlucky horse was Mexican Venture under Kerrin McEvoy, who was a further head back in third. Trapped with nowhere to go 1½ furlongs out he had to take a pull and come out wide before coming with a blistering late run. With more luck in running he would have been the undoubted winner.
20:15 Race five was one for the mathematicians. Five runners and the finishing order 1-2-3-4-5 – what odds that happening?
Disappointment of the race was undoubtedly the favourite I Am The Best, who certainly wasn’t today. Very promising first time out, the colt didn’t seem to have a clue early on and when the penny finally dropped it was too late to impact the result, ending up a running on, but nonetheless disappointing third.
The pace in the six furlong, two-year-old, sprint was shared by Asaint Needs Brass (which crossword fans will note is an anagram of Sebastian Sanders) and In Transit.
The newcomer Syrinx was not keen to go into the stalls and was clueless in the race itself, hopefully she will come on for the run.
19:45 Back to five furlongs for our feature race and excitement before the race when the old rogur Sir Edwin Landseer played up at the stalls, firstly unshipping pilot Saleem Golam then refusing to go in. It was no surprise the starter lost patience and the horse was withdrawn. Luckily being a 25/1 shot there was no impact on the betting.
As would be expected the race itself was quite a thriller with another blanket finish. Calling the winner Stoneacre Lad wasn’t a problem but it took a while for Dave Smith to sort out the places with Cake, who had led most of the way getting second and Biniou and Green Manalishi dead heating for third.
In truth all the action was mainly in the final furlong with most of the field running on and any of the first half will win some time soon.
19:15 A very strange third race and one I am sure the stewards will take a good look at.
Two horses vied for favouritism Viva Vettori, trained by David Elsworth and Spring City from Godolphin. What contrasting races they ran!! Viva Vettori set off in fron, only to fade dramatically in the final two furlongs. Spring City, on the other hand, sat stone last for most of the race and when Kerrin McEvoy finally did make an effort it looked to be too little too late with the horse finishing a never nearer sixth.
At the business end it was Safari Sundowner under three pound claimer Luke Morris who took the race at 16/1 in a messy finish with Pinch Of Salt just heading Kayak for the minor honours.
All in all a very odd race and, frankly one to rip out of the form book and throw away. The muted response from the crowd at the end of the race frankly told it all. Indeed you could say you can take the race with the name of the second.
If my arm was really twisted to find something positive from the race then I suppose the third Kayak was running on well at the end and may be worth looking at over 12 furlongs.
18:45 Like the first race the second was a five furlong sprint. Unlike the first these were all experienced runners who know what they are doing.
As a consequence the betting was much tighter as was the finish with five of them finishing very close together.
Although he did not call a photograph it took judge Dave Smith a couple of minutes to call the result and anyone who knows Dave Smith knows he doesn’t hang around in calling a result.
In the end it was Fairfield Princess ridden by Dane O’Neil who held off a late challenge from Mambazo under five pound claimer Ashley Hamblett. In a bunch finish for third it was Azygous who got the better of Sesert Opal and Willhewiz.
Punters were not too happy but the handicapper must have the feeling of job done.
18:15 The first race was a typical 2 year old five furlong spring. 11 runners of whom more than half were making their racecourse debut.
If you really must bet in these races there are two rules. Look at horses that have run before and look at the betting.
This is a race that proved the rule. The favourite Klynch set off in front and never looked to be in any danger taking the race by five lengths. And let me tell you five lengths in a five furlong sprint is as close to decisive as you will ever find.
Taking the theory a stage further the second was the best backed of the newcomers, Red Rossini, from the very much in form Richard Hannon Yard.
The eye catcher of the race was the running on third, Scrapper Smith, he looks one to be suited by six furlongs, a comment that could also apply to The Saucy Snipe.
17:20 Fifty minutes to the first race and it is all good news so far.
From a racing perspective we have no more non-runners which is a pleasant surprise.
It is also a lovely sunny evening and that is good as I haven’t bought a coat or jacket with me. I just hope it stays warm until around a quarter past nine.
14:20 A seven race card on the Polytrack with the first race set to go off at 18:10.
Three non-runners so far, details on the right.
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Non-Runners
19:10 8 Kaateb (Lame)
19:40 7 Oldjoesaid (poor blood)
21:10 7 Nothingtodeclaire (not eaten up)
Results
6:10
1st 4 Klynch Evens Fav
2nd 5 Red Rossini 4/1
3rd 6 Scrapper Smith 10/1
11 Ran
Distances 5L & Neck
Tote
Win £2.50
Place £1.40 £1.70 £3.00
Exacta £8.60
6:40
1st 11 Fairfield Princess 10/1
2nd 10 Mambazo 7/1
3rd 8 Azygous 12/1
12 Ran
Distances Head and 1/2 L
Tote
Win £9.50
Place £2.30 £2.20 £3.40
Exacta £72.50
7:10
1st 12 Safari Sundowner 16/1
2nd 3 Pinch Of Salt 15/2
3rd 2 Kayak 20/1
11 Ran NR 8
Distances 2 1/4 L and neck
Tote
Win £25.60
Place £6.20 £2.60 £4.20
Exacta £136.30
7:40
1st 9 Stoneacre Lad 10/1
2nd 12 Cake 14/1
DH 3rd 2 Biniou 33/1
DH 3rd 5 Green Manalishi 14/1
10 Ran NR 7 W/D 8
Distances 2 1/4 L and Head
Tote
Win £14.90
Place £3.40 £3.50 (2) £2.50 (5) £2.60
Exacta £175.00
8:10
1st 1 Asaint Needs Brass 10/1
2nd 2 In Transit 9/2
5 Ran
Distances 1/2 L and neck
Tote
Win £14.50
Place £4.10 £2.50
Exacta £41.20
8:40
1st 7 Naughty Frida 16/1
2nd 2 King Columbo 9/1
3rd 1 Mexican Venture 11/2
14 Ran
Distances Head and Head
Tote
Win £17.60
Place £3.40 £3.80 £2.60
Exacta £235.40
9:10
1st 3 Tomina 16/1
2nd 2 Alexander Guru 9/2
3rd 5 Critical Stage 6/1
9 Ran NR 7
Distances 5L & 2L
Tote
Win £14.80
Place £4.70 £1.80 £2.30
Exacta £166.50
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