Kempton Placepot: Wednesday December 27

Alan King's Kumbeshwar could surprise a few people again.

Tony McFadden attempts to win the Placepot at Kempton on Thursday...

12:25- Irish Saint could be a useful recruit for Paul Nicholls and is the first horse to make the 'pot', having won a listed hurdle in his native France. However, he is sure to be well supported and also siding with Captain Cardington could prove to be a wise move. Sheena West's juvenile appeared to relish conditions when winning at Sandown last time, displaying a good attitude to prevail, and looks like a solid proposition here, particularly if all eight runners go to post.

12:55- The best of these over hurdles, Simonsig jumped proficiently on his chasing debut at Ascot six days ago and should have little trouble in taking this on his way to better things.
 
13:30- Stamina and a good attitude are desirable traits when conditions are this testing, so Miss Milborne is the first horse we will turn to. Off the bridle a fair way out last time, Miss Milborne stuck to her task, staying on stoutly to finish second. She is once again likely to be galloping while others have cried enough and looks like a good Placepot horse. One Lucky Lady hasn't proven her stamina over this trip but she has shaped as if three miles will suit and made a promising return to action at Sandown on testing ground.

14:05- For Non Stop and Ghizao, who finished behind King George runner-up Captain Chris at Ascot, could be the pair to concentrate on here. The former didn't travel with his usual fluency last time, but he kept on well in the closing stages and is a fairly reliable performer. The latter was amajor disappointment last term, but he has come back in good heart and, though getting the run of the race, shaped well for a long way behind Captain Chris.

14:40- Sanctuaire paid the price for trying to beat Sprinter Sacre last time, but he isn't straightforward and it might be a mistake to assume that he will certainly reverse the form with Kumbeshwar. Alan King's charge undoubtedly benefitted from Sanctuaire going off too hard, but he handles heavy ground and should run his race. Wishfull Thinking, who took advantage of a good opportunity at Cheltenham last month, is also added for a bit of insurance.

15:15- Rolling Aces would have complicated matters somewhat but with him being a non-runner we will take our chances with Sizing Santiago and Spirit River. The former is progressing steadily and was better than ever when winning at Newbury last month. He possibly had a bit more up his sleeve than the winning margin would suggest and should be kept onside here. The latter, a winner of the 2010 Coral Cup, had seemed unsuited to fences, but he jumped fluently on his return here last month, travelling well before being headed close home. This trip is as far as he would want, but if he jumps and travels in the same manner as last time he should be on the premises.

Selections:
12:25- 1, 3
12:55- 2
13:30- 1, 7
14:05- 1, 2
14:40- 2, 3
15:15- 2, 5
= 32 lines
 
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