Kempton Placepot: Monday November 26

Nicky Henderson is the trainer of Snake Eyes.

Kempton Park plays host to a decent card on Monday, and that is the target of Matt Gardner's Placepot permutation...

12:30 - The opening contest is pretty open and we're going to need two in an attempt to make it through. Thoresby out-battled the reopposing South Stack when winning at Towcester last month and, having backed up that effort when finishing a good third at Ascot last time, is taken to confirm that form and goes down as our first selection. Ski Sunday has largely struggled since winning here in January of 2011 but he shaped better than the bare result at Chepstow on his most recent start, seemingly failing to get home over three miles, and he will be suited by this drop in trip racing off what appeals as a fair mark (some 13 lb lower than for his aforementioned Kempton win).

13:00 - There is little point in taking on the Nicky Henderson-trained Snake Eyes, who brings a lofty reputation to the table on what represents his hurdling debut. Henderson has won this event with the likes of Darlan and Bobs Worth in recent years, and Snake Eyes is fully expected to triumph here. 

13:30 - Spirit River would have no problems with winning this race were he to transfer all of his ability over hurdles to fences, but he has demonstrated a definite dislike of the larger obstacles in three starts, falling twice and finishing tailed off at Newbury, and he is readily opposable. The one to side with is The Druids Nephew, who finished sixth in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival (arguably unfortunate not to finish closer having been tight for room before two out) and made a promising start to life over fences when second at Ascot. The return to three miles will suit, and he out to go very close. 

14:05 - A further non-runner would leave us with just two places to aim at but we're still going to take on those at the head of the market with Baby Shine and Miss Milborne. It is well worth forgiving the former's reappearance at Wetherby as she shaped as if needing the run after 6 months off and, he returning to her best, would have strong claims of landing this prize. Miss Milborne boasts a steadily progressive profile over hurdles, posting a useful effort when winning a good race at Wincanton earlier this month, and she ought to be competitive at this level.
 
14:30 - Bally Legend was in good form over hurdles last winter, winning twice, and he made a decent attempt on debut over fences when third at Taunton last month. The two miles faced that day barely presented enough of a test and he ought to me much more at home over today's distance. It's also worth including Twirling Magnet, who shaped much better than the bare result under a considerate ride on his chasing bow at Stratford on his most recent start and appeals as the type to do much better at some stage soon. 

15:10 - Iron Chancellor shaped as if just in need of the run on his reappearance at Warwick last time, managing a creditable third nonetheless, and he should do better now with that under his belt. In a bid to avoid a last leg exit we will also stick in Greenlaw, who made an encouraging start for his new yard when finishing fourth at Ascot after five months off and the step up to three miles faced today seems likely to suit. 

Selections: 
12:30 - 1, 11
13:00 - 8
13:30 - 6
14:05 - 5, 8
14:35 - 3, 6
15:10 - 1, 5
= 16 lines

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