Sean Bowen Kempton Preview: He certainly goes there with an each-way chance
13:15 Kempton – Resplendent Grey
He made a very encouraging start to the season behind Captain Teague at Chepstow back in October, but things haven’t quite panned out for him since then. He was then very keen at Cheltenham the next day, and he just didn’t get home after pulling very hard throughout the race.
He settled much better when finishing third at Aintree last time, and he was given a nice patient ride that day before coming home well, so that was definitely encouraging to see. I’d say the trip and ground tomorrow will be absolutely fine for him, and he’s down slightly in grade too, so I think he certainly goes there with an each-way chance off a mark of 126.
16:10 Kempton – Grandads Cottage
He won nicely for Dylan Johnston at Leicester last month, so hopefully he can build on that here. He travelled into the race really well at Aintree on Boxing Day over three miles, but he just didn’t quite stay that day, so I think the step back in trip last time really suited him. I actually think he’d probably get three miles on decent ground, but it was quite soft that day at Aintree, and he just found it very hard work.
He’s gone up 5lb for that win, and he’s obvious minus Dylan’s claim this time, so he has taken a fair hike in the weights, but he does come here in good form. I think two and a half miles round Kempton on soft ground will suit him perfectly, so he wouldn’t be without a chance in what looks like an open contest.
16:45 Kempton – Woodland Park
Woodland Park has a nice pedigree on paper, and he fetched a decent bit of money at the sales, so hopefully he can live up to that in time. He’s a nice big horse, but I’d say he’ll definitely improve for the experience tomorrow. He’s a tall horse with plenty of scope, so I think we won’t see the best of him until he goes jumping, but it will be interesting to see how gets on tomorrow on his racecourse debut.
Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassador