15:58 That’s it from a reasonable afternoons racing here at Kempton. As is often the case we had to wait until the last to see the highlight of the afternoon as Calzaghe made an absolute mockery of his penalty to take the final contest.
From Kempton Park a very good evening.
15:56 Calzaghe was carrying a 14lb penalty as he sought a three timer in our finale.
He duly delivered coming home a facile nine length winner under Giles Hawkins, who managed to take 5lbs of the penalty off.
The winner was settled nearer last than first in the early exchanges, where the lead in the closely bunched field was headed by Romney Marsh, Mistress Eva and Ashes Summer.
Hawkins made progress as they came down the back straight. A slight concern turning for home as Hawkins had to urge Calzaghe to hit the front but once in front it was race over.
Noun De La Thinte looked booked fore the runners up-spot but seemed to be eased in the run-in to be passed by Waarid.
15:40 Our final contest is the Coolmore NH Sires Mahler Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, phew, over two miles.
Thirteen go to post with Karasakal and Northern Lad the defectors.
15:25 There may only have been six runners but we had a cracking finish to this 2½ mile chase.
Charlies Future set the pace for the first circuit and was harried for the lead by Fit To Drive.
At the open ditch before the entrance to the back straight Fit To Drive put in a spectacular leap to take up the running. This seemed to make Charlies Future sulk and he soon dropped through the field.
Favourite Le Burf then became the challenger and he took up the running at the eleventh. However Fit To Drive seems to be a brave filly and she would not give up the fight, taking up the running again four out.
The pair then battled the rest of the contest.
They jumped the last locked together and a battle then ensued up the short run-in with Fit To Drive showing sheer guts to hold on by a neck.
The pair finished ten clear of their rivals, who were headed by Supreme Duke, who looked a serious challenger as they turned for home, but soon ran out of stamina.
15:04 Race six is the Ladbrokes Handicap Chase over the extended 2½ miles.
Six face the starter and no real standouts or negatives in the parade ring.
14:55 A dramatic finish to the three mile contest, which was run at a decent pace.
The filly and top weight Sashenka set the initial pace but was headed by Solway Minstrel after the third and he retained the lead until three out.
The favourite Bob ‘n’ You was seeking a four timer but his jumping was not impressive making bad mistakes at both the eight and tenth flights.
Approaching two out any one of six could have won the contest. King Ar Aghaidh, Bob ‘n’ You and Corker jumped it in front.
Approaching the last it was down to two as King Ar Aghaigh and Bob ‘n’ You were locked together.
However Bob ‘n’ You made one mistake too many and took a crashing fall leaving King Ar Aghaidh to come home an unopposed 12 length winner. Corker took the runners-up spot with second favourite Nemetan taking third, a somewhat unimpressive performance.
Bob ‘n’ You’s fall did not look good and he was still on the ground for some time. However as soon as they began to put the screens up he bolted up like a scolded cat but was quickly caught.
14:31 Another handicap over the extended three miles, this time the Halcyon Gallery Handicap Hurdle.
Ten go to post as Bubble Boy and Don’t Tell The Wife defect.
Sashenka and Acosta are both getting warm in the parade ring.
A jockey change as Jason Maguire now rides King Ar Aghaidh.
14:20 An incident packed race in which only half the field finished and for those remaining the final stage had a twist.
Meanus Dandy and Khachaturian set the pace but there was drama as we lost two at the second fence. The Jazz Muscian fell and Swordsman unseated, independently of one another. Horses and riders were OK.
Not much incident and no change up front for the next circuit.
By the time they entered the back straight for the final time the field were well strung out with Meanus Dandy three ahead of Khachaturian with the favourite Cast Cada back in third.
At the first in the back straight we lost Toomuchinformation (again both horse and rider OK).
Approaching the final ditch, four from home, there was little change up front but Cardinal Spirit and Picture In The Sky both pulled up.
Turning for home Meanus Dandy still had a good six length lead over Khachaturian.
No change at the third last but all of a sudden Meanus Dandy ran out of puff, to quote commentator Simon Holt, “… he is stopping like a brick balloon.”
This allowed Khachaturian to take up the running and it was a formality for Jason Maguire to record a double for himself and trainer Donald McCain.
13:58 Liam Heard has picked up a four day ban for dropping his hands on fifth place Fidelis in the opening race.
13:54 Race four is the Boodles Diamond Beginners’ Chase over three miles.
The only non-runner is Francois Doumen’s Doctor Pat due to travel problems. It still leaves ten to partake.
No standout positives in the parade ring. Some slight negatives Cardinal Sprit was pulling quite hard, whilst Cast Cada is a head shaker.
13:43 Only five runners but a good race and a very impressive winner in the classy filly Whiteoak.
Donald McCain’s filly was attempting three miles for the first time. Jason Maguire settled the filly in fourth place as the field covered the first 2½ miles in Indian file. Wychwoods Legend took them along, followed by Dansimar then Amber Brook, Whiteoak and Elzahaan.
Turning for home Elzahaan was well tailed off and was pulled up before the home straight.
The remaining runners bunched up coming into the home straight all being urged along by their riders, apart from Whiteoak.
Amber Brook and Wychwoods Legend jumped the second last together in front.
However coming to the last it was all change as Maguire shook the reigns on Whiteoak and she soon pulled away from her rivals. Amber Brook set off in a pointless pursuit as the filly showed a clean pair of hooves.
The winner has been entered into the World Hurdle market at 25/1 by William Hill or 4/1 in the Mares Hurdle.
13:18 Have just found out the going is now Good to Soft - was changed after the first race but nobody told us in the press room.
13:17 Race three the Starlight Children’s Foundation Mares’ Hurdle, a listed contest over the extended three miles.
Only five go to the start, following the defections of My Petra, Quaspia and Amigayle defecting.
Nothing exceptional in the parade ring either way.
13:05 A double for the McCoy / Henderson combo with the aptly named You’re The Top, who took the larger fences well.
The same cannot be said of Beherayn, whose jumping once again let him down at the third.
Cockatoo and You’re The Top shared the early pace, until McCoy hit the front halfway down the back straight.
Turning for home it looked as though it was going to be a formality for the Henderson runner but Jamie Moore had other ideas on his dad’s I Have Dreamed.
By the second last the pair were upsides and it loked as though there may be an upset as McCoy had to get to work on the favourite. However You’re The Top responded to the champs urgings and by the last he had an advantage, cemented by a perfect jump.
It was a hack canter up the run-in as You’re The Top came home 4½ lengths clear of I Have Dreamed.
Cockatoo who tired towards the end found a second wind to head Epidavros on the line.
Procas de Thaix, who had always been in rear, unseated at the last.
12:46 Quite a few more non-runners coming through, keep an eye on the right.
Race two is the Chateau De Sours Novices’ Chase, a two mile contest in which Kanad is a non-runner, leaving six to go to post.
Procas de Thaix and Epidavros were both on their toes, whereas Cockatoo and You’re The Top are very relaxed, the former almost comatose.
12:35 A very short priced favourite in Nicky Henderson’s Candy Creek, under champion jockey AP McCoy, who duly delivered without causing too many flutters for backers.
The only drama in the race came at the first when the leader Blazing Sun over-jumped and nibbled the grass on landing. Jason Maguire did well to remain on board but was so far ahead he still came out of the flight in front.
As they went out on the final circuit On Borrowed Wings, the second favourite, took up the running under Richard Johnson. It wasn’t long before McCoy was on his quarters.
As they turned for home it was already a two runner contest with Candy Creek and On Borrowed Wings well clear of their rivals.
Two out they were stride for stride clearing the flight, but McCoy was riding a cool race.
Approaching the last McCoy kicked Candy Creek into the lead and it was race over. Neither put in a brilliant jump at the last but Candy Creek had enough in hand to win by 4½ lengths.
To illustrate the gulf in class the front pair came home 21 lengths clear of their rivals, headed by Aohna.
12:11 The opening contest is the EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle over two miles.
Eight go to post, fairly neutral in the parade ring. Fidelis was slightly on his toes. Aohna looked quite nice.
11:26 Good morning from Kempton where it is now dry. We have a few non-runners, details on the right.
07:32 It has been raining overnight, 2mm, and is still raining with showers expected until mid-morning. The going remains Good to Soft, Good in Places.
Our selections are:-
12:20 |
8 |
Candy Creek |
12:50 |
6 |
You're The Top |
13:25 |
4 |
Amber Brook |
14:00 |
3 |
Doctor Pat |
14:35 |
5 |
Don't Tell The Wife |
15:10 |
3 |
Le Burf |
15:40 |
1 |
Calzaghe |
18:15 Sunday
The advance going report is:-
Going
Good to Soft, Good in Places
(GoingStick: Chase 7.1; Hurdle 6.9 on Sunday at 13:15)
Rails
Dual bend alignment after winning post. All bends moved 2 metres.
Weather
15mm of rain in last 16 hours. (8mm between 11am and 1pm today)
Sunday: Further risk of heavy showers mid afternoon.
Monday: Remaining unsettled
Return to race archive:
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Non-Runners
The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.
SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate
Non-runners
12:50
4 Kanad (withdrawn - going)
13:25
1 My Petra (going)
2 Quaspia (travel 10:07)
3 Amigayle (going - 12:02)
14:00
3 Doctor Pay (travel - 10:04)
14:35
4 Bubble Boy (Going - 09:51)
5 Don't Tell The Wife (going - 13:14)
15:40
2 Karasakal (going - 13:20)
3 Northern Lad (going - 10:03)
Results
12:20 Novices' Hurdle 2m
1st 8 Candy Creek 2/5 fav
2nd 1 On Borrowed Wings 3/1
3rd 2 Aohna 10/1
8 Ran
Distances 4½ & 21
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.40
Places £1.02 £1.10 £2.20
Exacta £2.40
CSF £2.20
Time 4' 02.5"
12:50 Novices' Chase 2m
1st 6 You're The Top 4/6 fav
2nd 2 I Have Dreamed 4/1
6 Ran w/d 4
Distance 4½
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.60
Places £1.40 £1.90
Exacta £3.80
CSF £3.74
Time 4' 11.5"
13:25 Mares' Hurdle 3m 110yds
1st 7 Whiteoak 6/4 fav
2nd 4 Amber Brook 7/4
5 Ran Nr's 1, 2 & 3
Distances 7
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.20
Places £1.40 £1.10
Exacta £3.70
CSF £4.44
Time 6' 30.63"
14:00 Beginners' Chase 3m
1st 6 Khachaturian 4/1
2nd 7 Meanus Dandy 7/1
3rd 4 Dover's Hill 15/2
10 Ran Nr 3
Distances 10 & 2
Fav 2 Cast Cada 6/4 (3rd)
Tote
Win £5.60
Places £1.90 £2.30 £2.10
Exacta £29.00
CSF £32.24
Time 6' 27.8"
14:35 Handicap Hurdle 3m 110yds
1st 3 King Ar Aghaidh 16/1
2nd 9 Corker 12/1
3rd 10 Nemetan 10/3
11 Ran Nr 4
Distances 12 & 4
Fav 2 Bob 'n' You 9/4 (fell)
Tote
Win £17.80
Places £4.00 £2.70 £1.80
Exacta £158.90
CSF £188.27
Tricast £800.77
Time 6' 26.8"
15:10 Handicap Chase 2m 4f 110yds
1st Fit To Drive 6/1
2nd 3 Le Burf 2/1 fav
6 Ran
Distances neck
Fav second
Tote
Win £
Places £ £
Exacta £
CSF £19.24
Time 5' 28.1"
15:40 Handicap Hurdle 2m
1st 1 Calzaghe 5/6 fav
2nd 9 Warrid 33/1
3rd 11 Noun De La Thinte 14/1
13 Ran Nr's 2 & 3
Distances 9 & 1¾
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.90
Places £1.10 £6.40 £3.80
Exacta £39.60
CSF £43.74
Tricast £272.79
Time 4' 04.6"
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