16:39 That's it from a rare jumping day here at Kempton Park.

Our next live action will be tomorrow from Folkestone.

From a still sunny Sunbury-on-Thames a very good evening.

16:36 It is time to wax lyrical, looking across the Kempton Park course as the sun starts to go down the lake looks magnificent, the reeds reflecting in the stillness. The colours of the horses reflecting in the mirror like water and a fox darts across the track.

Oh yes the racing – apologies – the finale was a bumper, not my favourite type of race as regular visitors will well know.

Having said that, it actually produced the most exciting finish of the afternoon – I think that is called sods law.

The bulk of the race was not that interesting with the field well bunched, taken along by the appropriately named Leader Blue.

Turning for home the favourite Phidippides took up the running and it looked like a decisive run. However Barry Geraghty on General Miller had tracked his every move throughout and the favourites lead was short lived.

That doesn’t mean the jolly gave up without a fight but Nicky Henderson’s runner held on to record a 1¾ length victory.

Another running on performer was Volador, held up early on but unleashed with an impressive run in the home straight under Richard Johnson. So impressive was the run he actually did the favourite for the runners-up spot.

16:17 Quite difficult to judge the runners in our bumper as several were very late into the parade ring.

16:04 Very occasionally you see something at the racecourse that takes your breath away, our sixth race had one such moment.

The favourite Pop Ahead, under champion jockey AP McCoy, was already well ahead approaching the last fence when he put in what has to be the boldest jump seen in many a long while. He must easily have cleared the fence by at least double its height – it was an awesome sight.

The open ditch on the far side was omitted in both circuits after being damaged in the previous contest.

Thedreamstillalive was the pacesetter and, for a change this afternoon, it was not too bad a pace.

Minor honours were shared amongst most of the other runners, although Idris, after challenging early on, was soon well adrift.

Turning for home AP decided it was time to get competitive and was soon in the lead and looking a very comfortable leader he was never in any danger once in front.

Thedreamstillalive held on to take second.     

15:29 Another race where they have come home strung out like Monday’s washing, barring any accidents the result was not in any doubt at all for, at least, the last half mile.

Fix The Rib, ridden by Jamie Moore for his father Gary was an easy winner, coming home 11 lengths clear of the favourite Pepsyrock, for whom late money saw him come in to 2/1.

Brave Villa set off in front almost pulling Richard Johnson’s arms out in the process, no surprise as the horse had been jinking on his toes at the start.   

Indeed his rivals were happy to let him have the lead as they hacked around behind.

It was, of course, a matter of when, as opposed  to if, the leader would be overhauled and it happened half way down the back straight.

The lead went from eight lengths to zilch in half a furlong and Fix The Rib Took up the running, with the favourite in pursuit. It came as no surprise when Brave Villa was pulled up.

Turning for home Fix the Rib still had a decent led from the favourite and, for a brief moment it looked as though Farmer’s Lad may even have challenged the jolly, but he flattered to deceive.

As in the last race the only way the leader was going to lose would be if he made a mistake, he didn’t.

15:12 Seven runners in our next contest, a 2m Handicap Chase.

Reasonably close betting with Pepsyrock the 11/4 favourite.

14:53 Well it may have been a nineteen runner contest when they set off but a fraction over five and a half minutes later it had become a two horse race.

The pair involved were the favourite Clyffe Hanger and Wychwoods Legend, with the latter getting the better of the battle by two lengths, the pair finishing 25 lengths ahead of the few remaining finishers, led by Pacific Ocean.

Buffalo Bob set the pace, which can best be described as steady in the early stages, although it has to be said it was not much of a lead and the field were very well bunched as they passed the post to begin the final circuit.

As they reached the back straight, however it was a different story and the field quickly became strung out as the leaders increased the tempo.

Turning for home there were four left in with a chance, the front two plus Buffalo Bob and Pacific Ocean.

14:34 A little nineteen runner (no 10 Wildbach does not go) 2m 5f hurdle for our next contest.

No great surprise that we don't have an odds-on favourite in this one, where our selection Clyffe Hanger is currently the 7/2 favourite - somewhat shorter than I expected.

14:20 As course commentator Lee McKenzie so succinctly put it half way, “never before has a short priced favourite jumped so badly,” and he wasn’t wrong.

Lodge Lane made a mistake at the first, second, third – OK are you getting the drift – it has to be the most abject display of jumping seen in many a long day. The only surprise was the partnership with Christian Williams was still intact when he finally pulled up approaching two out.

Actually the Gods really were not smiling on Lodge Lane as when he finally seemed to be sorting out his jumping on the far side on the second circuit he was hampered by the falling Forthright.

Forthright was the early pacesetter, a role he shared with Mount Oscar.

Once he fell Mount Oscar was left in front but soon had Or Jaune keeping him company.

Turning for home the pair were well clear of Itsa Legend in third, who in turn was miles ahead of Sir Jimmy Shand and Lodge Lane. Au Courant having waved the white flag before they turned for home.

Or Jaune jumped into the lead at the second last and although Mount Oscar made him fight every inch of the way for his victory he held on to record a neck victory.

13:59 A major drifter in the next, Au Courant opened at 4/1 and is now out to 15/2

13:57 A 3m novices' chase next up, with just seven going to post and we have another odds-on favourite in the shape of Vic Dartnall's Lodge Lane, currently trading at 5/6, having opened up at 6/5.

As in the opening two contests nothing really stands out in the parade ring, although there are no negatives this time.

13:45 Well the betting said our second contest was a two horse race, with the betting going 10/11 Ainama and 5/4 Hebridean, with 20/1 bar the pair.    

Well the betting got it absolutely spot on, although the pair ran with differing tactics.

Northern Lad set off in front although it wasn’t initially clear if this was by choice or the horse ran away with his jockey Robert Butler. Whatever he was soon a few lengths clear with Oddshoes, also taking a hold, following.

The remainder of the field were happy to let the front two have their heads.

The main bunch was led by Ainama, whilst Hebridean was happy to settle two-thirds of the way down the field.

Turning for home the long time leaders were still in front, although Oddshoes now had the lead, As they entered the home straight Ainama had joined Oddshoes and Hebridean was making eye catching progress.

Ainama was left in front as Oddshoes unseated at the second last and as they approached the final fence Hebridean looked to be the challenger. However Ainama put in a perfect leap and ran on well to record a three length victory over his market rival. The almost white Pale
Rider ran on to take third place, some ten lengths behind the front pair.

The winner earns a 25/1 quote for the Supreme Novices' at the Festival.  

13:26 As in the first nothing really outstanding in the parade ring for the second division of the novices’ hurdle.

13:15 The start of the opener was one of those really annoying starts where the field did not move for several seconds after the tape was released, so take no notice of the time for the race.

When they did eventually start it was Shipboard Romance who set what pace there was, with Hector’s Choice following.

Phoenix Ice, who looked more settled in the race than when going down, share third place with Farmers Cross, whilst the favourite Riverside Theatre was settled mid-division by Barry Geraghty.

Considering the slow pace it was something of a surprise to see the field enter the back straight well strung out.

At the end of the back straight Shipboard Romance still had a good lead with Hector’s Choice still iin pursuit. Behind these two the field were bunching up with some running on, most notably Riverside Theatre who came with a brisk run on the home straight.

At the second last Hector’s Choice took off in front but a great leap from the diminutive Riverside Theatre put him in the lead and he soon had three lengths on the field.

The race thereafter was effectively over as he came home 4½ lengths clear of Hector’s Choice who held on for the runners-up spot, with Shipboard Romance hanging on for third.

The first two may be worth taking out of the contest, the others were indifferent.   

12:55 Watching them go down Jonjo O'Neill's Phoenix Ice is sweating freely and , trust me, it is far from warm here this afternoon.

12:52 They are in the parade ring for our opener, the first division of the 2m novices' hurdle, and to be honest absolutely nothing caught the eye.

A slight negative for Peacefull Waters and Riverside Theatre looked to be very small.

12:02 Good afternoon from Kempton, where the sun is shining and, even one hours before our first race we already have a reasonable size crowd.

It is interesting the all weather meetings here are almost deserted yet as soon as the jump meetings come around so the crowds materialise - even on a Monday afternoon in January.

10:19 Here are today's tips:

1:00 1 Hector's Choice
1:30 1 Ainama
2:05 3 Lodge Lane
2:40 20 Clyff Hanger
3:15 7 Farmers Lad
3:50 4 Pop Ahead
4:20 1 King Of Leon

10:16 Jump racing returns to Kempton Park today, where there is currently one non-runner.

The going is:-

Chase Course - Soft (Good to Soft in Places)
Hurdle Course - Soft

Going stick Chase 5.8, Hurdle 5.4

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

3:50
7 Noble Billy (not eaten up - SC)

2:40
10 Wildbach (going)

4:20
1 King Of Leon (going)
3 Harry The Hat (going)

Results

1:00

1st 10 Riverside Theatre 10/11f
2nd 1 Hectors Choice 3/1
3rd 16 Shipboard Romance 40/1
16 Ran
Distances 4½ & 3¼
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.90
Place £1.10 £1.10 £7.40
Exacta £4.70
CSF £3.32
Time 4' 17.8"

1:30

1st 1 Ainama 10/11f
2nd 14 Hebridean 5/4
3rd 10 Pale Rider 25/1
16 Ran
Distances 3 & 10
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.00
Place £1.10 £1.20 £2.90
Exacta £3.10
CSF £2.17
Time 4' 09.6"

2:05

1st 6 Or Jaune 11/1
2nd 5 Mount Oscar 16/1
7 Ran
Distances neck
Fav 3 Lodge Lane 8/11 (pu)
Tote
Win £14.20
Place £3.80 £6.20
Exacta £127.30
CSF £141.17
Time 6' 28.4"

2:40

1st 12 Wychwoods Legend 8/1
2nd 20 Clyffe Hanger 7/2f
3rd 16 Pacific Ocean 50/1
4th 4 Buffalo Bob 7/1
19 Ran NR 10
Distances 2 & 25
Fav second
Tote
Win £10.10
Place £2.60 £1.30 £14.10 £1.90
Exacta £32.00
CSF £34.69
Tricast £1,388.43
Time 5' 57.4"

3:15

1st 5 Fix The Rib 4/1
2nd 4 Pepsyrock 2/1f
7 Ran
Distances 11
Fav second
Tote
Win £4.40
Place £2.40 £1.50
Exacta £11.40
CSF £12.91
Time 4' 07.5"

3:50

1st 4 Pop Ahead 11/4f
2nd 6 Thedreamstillalive 12/1
7 Ran NR 7
Distances 6
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.60
Place £2.10 £3.90
Exacta £35.10
CSF £31.19
Tricast £194.09
Time 5' 31.9"

4:20

1st 12 General Miller 5/2
2nd 10 Volador 12/1
3rd 5 Phidippides 13/8f
13 Ran NR's 1 & 3
Distances 1¾ & neck
Fav third
Tote
Win £3.20
Place £1.40 £3.20 £1.10
Exacta £28.70
CSF £31.30
Time 4' 12.19"