07:49 There was 1mm of rain overnight. The official going is Good on the Chase Course and Good, Good to Soft in Places on the Hurdles course.

Our selections are:-

12:13 Good afternoon from an overcast Kempton Park where there is some drizzle in the air.

We have a seven race national hunt card this afternoon and we currently have one non-runner, who is Laskari in the 15:40.

13:26 I have just been chatting to Channel Four’s Simon Holt who has revealed he almost missed the Thursday of the Festival last week when he had a terrible sore throat and could hardly talk in the morning.

It was only with the help of one of the racecourse doctors he was able to go ahead with yet another faultless commentary.

13:35 Our opening contest this afternoon is the 2 mile Bet Multiples- Betdaq National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Eight runners go to post.

13:54 Some big chasing types in the opener. The long odds-on favourite Captain Chris amongst them, however his is getting a little warm in the parade ring, although not as warm as Respective Way.

14:12 Well anybody who was expecting a thrilling climax to our opening contest would have been very disappointed.

Indeed as a spectacle the race was a disappointment, with the field going off in Indian file and being strung out after a couple of furlongs.

Second favourite Rollwiththepunches set off in front with the very short priced favourite Captain Chris in pursuit.

By the time they turned into the back straight we already had two races with Respective Way and Devil’s Advocate attempting to hang onto the coat tails of the front pair and the remainder already tailed off.

By the time they were half way down the back straight the front two had the race to themselves.

As they began the sweeping right hand turn for home Richard Johnson bought Captain Chris to the front and was soon clear.

After two out Paul Moloney had accepted his fate on Rollwiththepunches, leaving Captain Chris to come home thirteen lengths clear and better for much more. As well as being built like a chaser Captain Chris also jumped like one.

14:25 Race two is the extended 2 ½ mile Betdaq on 0870 178 1221 Novices’ Handicap Chase in which seven face the starter.

No real positives or negatives in the parade ring, although if you liek grey's you have a choice of three in this contest, including the almost white Power Shared.

14:46 Something of a scrappy second contest with none of the fancied runners making any real impression.

Most disappointing of all was Reland, who seemed to have an utter inability to jump straight and he was already tailed off as they went out on their final circuit, although rider Paddy Brennan did jump another two fences before waving the white flag and pulling up.

Tooka led for the early stages of the contest and held that position until the end of the back straight and once passed soon faded out of serious contention.

The favourite Silver Dollars was settled third or fourth but once the race began in earnest as they turned for home he had nothing to offer and eventually came home the last of those to finish.

As they turned for home it effectively became a two horse race with the almost white Power Shared battling it out with King Jack, who had been harrying Tooka for the lead for most of the contest.

However it was Power Shared who had most in hand and he soon pulled clear of King Jack. Indeed it was Marc Of Brilliance who was running on best of all and coming to the last he passed King Jack, who then went on to unseat his rider, Warren Marston.

Power Shared cantered up the run-in to record a four length victory over Marc Of Brilliance, with Tooka plugging on for third past beaten horses.     

14:57 Our third contests is the Betdaq The Betting Exchange Novices’ Hurdle and a 2 mile 5 furlong contest in which nine take their chances.

A couple of negatives in the parade ring, Badster is really gnashing his teeth, like an annoying partner whilst Devoran Quay is shaking his head like a teenager on speed.

The positive is Great Reason who looks good.

15:22 Louis Pasteur caught the eye before blundering two out on debut at Fontwell a fortnight ago and he set off in front this afternoon. Upped in distance today  he quickly dropped out of contention half way down the back straight.

According to the betting this was just a two horse race with Great Reason and Ravethebrave being the pair attracting support.

Great Reason was happily settled in third spot for most of the contest with Ravethebrave settled even further back round about sixth place.

Both made their moves towards the end of the back straight.

Dingat was left in front once Louis Pasteur faded and was soon joined by Great Reason with Ravethebrave tracking every move of the favourite.

Lining up for home they were three abreast, although Dingat was soon to drop out of contention.

Great Reason and Ravethebrave were locked together at the second last, although it has to be said Ravethebrave looked to have more in hand.

So it turned out to be as Ravethebrave put in the better jump at the last, pulling clear of Great reason who was unable to respond.

Whilst most eyes were on the front pair Jack Doyle launched Heez A Cracker with a late run, charging up the run in and sailing past Dingat to take third place.

15:32 Race four is the betdaq.co.uk Handicap Hurdle, a 2 mile 5 furlong contest which sees our biggest field of the afternoon as a dozenline-up, it was 13 but we have a non-runner.

Nothing great to report from the parade ring. Dover's Hill is a big horse and looks to have the phisique of a chaser.

15:56 Alderluck had to carry top weight in this 2m 5f hurdle but watching him run he made a mockery of the weights leading from the first flight and never really looking to be in any danger, this despite running through the final flight and flattening it.

Tony McCoy on the favourite Galaxy Rock was aware of the danger but it transpired he left his challenge too late as, although running on in the closing stages, he was only able to come within three lengths of the front running winner.

Tobago Bay who had been prominent throughout held on for third. Midas way was another putting in his best effort at the end and came home fourth.

Dover’s Hill was in second spot during the early stages but swiftly dropped out as they turned for home.

Captain Americo attracted each-way support but disappointed and never figured.

15:57 Our fifth race sees the smallest field of the afternoon as only four line-up for the 2 mile Bet Formula One-Betdaq Handicap Chase.

Jigsaw Dancer has been well supported this morning but just caused a minor scare in the parade ring where he seemed to slip, although he did not actually go down.

A very tight betting heat with three of the runners - King Brex, Sebastiano and Alesandro Mantegna - all sharing favouritism at 9/4.

16:13 Not exactly raining but there is a steady drizzle at the moment.

16:27 A four runner contest where the market found it very difficult to find a favourite.

Eventually Sebastiano had the mantle and, ironically, was the first to be beaten, dropped out down the back straight.

Jigsaw Dancer was the 4/1 outsider of the field (well backed in from 8/1 this morning) and looked to be the winner clearing the last in front.

However we were treated to a thrilling climax as Alesandro Mantegna battled up the run-in leading only in the final strides.

Looking objectively one had feel sorry for connections of Jigsaw Dancer as he was the only runner to put in a perfect round of jumping, but that’s racing.  

16:38 The Bet Champions League Football-Betdaq Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle is our sixth contest, in which 11 line up.

We have a jockey change with Charlie Wallace, claiming 3lbs, now on Filun.

Minnie Hill is a little bit on her toes, whilst Exulto is very much on his toes.

17:09 After some uncompetitive finishes earlier on racegoers have been treated to another thrilling climax to a race, much to the annoyance of favourite backers.

Zen factor set off in front although how he remained in front is a mystery. Jumping to the right at the first two flights he then tried to run out as they exited the home straight to start the final circuit.

Surprisingly he remained in front, with Minnie Hill and Geoffdaw, the trio well clear of the remainder headed by the favourite Synthe Davies.

Unsurprisingly the field bunched up again as they came down the back straight and after jumping right a few more times Zen Factor was soon in reverse.

Minnie Hill was left in front but Synthe Davis was soon with her and the two mares were leading turning for home.

Synthe Davis finally went clear two out and looked the likely winner at that point.

However Lee Edwards on Zafrangar, who had been settled nearer last than first, had made steady headway and ran on to challenge approaching the final flight.

Synthe Davis was in front at the last but Zarrangar put in the better leap and hit the front.

The favourite was not going to go down without a fight and rallied as the line approached, however the line came in time for Zafranger who held on by a diminishing neck.

17:10 Our final race of the afternoon use of the extended 2½ mile Bet In Running-Betdaq Corinthian Hunters’ Chase which sees seven runners compete for the prize.

17:35 In horseracing terms a 14 year old should be in the paddocks drawing their equine pension, however Jurado Express has just demonstrated that pensioners can be full of life as the 14-year-old took the Hunters’ Chase for the third year running.

Putting in a front running performance and despite a late challenge from Good Company he recorded a 2¾ length victory to the delight of sentimentalists (and the bookmakers).

Good Company made a late charge to try and deny the hat-trick but was too late – interestingly weak in the market having opened up as favourite.

The eventual favourite was Distant Thunder, who only managed to come home third.

A refreshing end to the afternoon and good news for pensioners everywhere.    

17:38 Well that’s it from a grey, dank Kempton Park.

Obviously not as good quality racing as we had last week at The Festival but an entertaining afternoon all the same.

Tomorrow we will be “up north” at Haydock Park where the quality of the racing, on paper at least, looks very good for a mid-week meeting.

Return to race archive:

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

15:40
12 Laskari (not eaten up - SC 09:07)

Results

14:00 Novices Hurdle 2m

1st 1 Captain Chris 3/10 fav
2nd 2 Rollwiththepunches 3/1
3rd 8 Tricky Tree 10/1
8 Ran
Distances 13 & 19
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.40
Places £1.02 £1.30 £2.10
Exacta £1.90
CSF £1.97
Time 3' 55.0"

14:30 Handicap Chase 2m 4f 110yds

1st 7 Power Shared 7/1
2nd 3 Marc Of Brilliance 14/1
7 Ran
Distances 4
Fav 4 Silver Dollars 9/4 (last)
Tote
Win £9.30
Places £3.30 £5.10
Exacta £113.30
CSF £77.04
Time 5' 16.5"

15:05 Novices' Hurdle 2m 5f

1st 8 Ravethebrave 15/8
2nd 1 Great Reason 11/10 fav
3rd 9 Heez A Cracker 12/1
9 Ran
Distance 4 & 4
Fav second
Tote
Win £2.90
Places £1.90 £1.02 £3.40
Exacta £4.80
CSF £4.44
Time no time taken

15:40 Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f

1st 1 Alderluck 11/1
2nd 5 Galaxy Rock 11/4 fav
3rd 2 Tobago Bay 12/1
12 Ran Nr 12
Distances 3 & 2
Fav second
Tote
Win £17.10
Places £4.30 £1.40 £4.30
Exacta £71.20
CSF £43.32
Tricast £389.12
Time 5' 18.5"

16:15 Handicap Chase 3m

1st 4 Alesandro Mantegna 5/2
2nd 2 Jigsaw Dancer 4/1
4 Ran
Distance ½
Fav 3 Sebastiano 2/1 (last)
Tote
Win £3.10
Exacta £10.40
CSF £11.72
Time 4' 02.1"

16:50 Handicap Hurdle 2m

1st  2 Zafranger 8/1
2nd 1 Synthe Davis 13/8 fav
3rd 3 Gunslinger 12/1
11 Ran
Distances Neck & 3¼
Fav
Tote
Win £12.20
Places £4.10 £1.60 £2.10
Exacta £27.20
CSF £21.81
Tricast £101.07
Time 3' 59.5"

17:20 Hunters' Chase 2m 4f 110yds

1st 3 Jurado Express 15/2
2nd 2 Good Company 3/1
7 Ran
Distances 2¾
Fav 7 Distant Thunder 11/4 (3rd)
Tote
Win £11.00
Places £5.50 £3.10
Exacta £31.30
CSF £30.80
Time 5' 15.8"