Sectional Debrief: Kempton, Tuesday May 7

Brian Ellison: Trainer of Niknad.

Simon Rowlands analyses the action at Kempton on Tuesday...

It was a more interesting meeting than usual from a sectionals point of view at Kempton on Tuesday. There was the usual mix of truly-run and steadily-run races - as can be inferred from the leaders' closing sectionals in the table below - but also a fair few performances of merit when broken down individually by before/after the 3f marker. 

The first race was a non-event, won by Lewisham at 20/1-on, but the second was something of a rarity here in that it was over a distance of ground and yet resulted in a decent time. All of the principals can be marked up slightly in coming home well at the end of a contest run at a somewhat stop-start gallop, and third-placed Niknad (58 sectional rating) did just about best of all.

The filly nearly made the notebook but it should be acknowledged that she got behind through laziness, not design, and may not be straightforward. The ability is there for Niknad to win a race off this mark and perhaps headgear will be deployed. 

Bold Ring's race was another run in a decent time, this time reflecting that the first two ran close to sectional par given their overall times. The six-length margin back to the third may flatter them by a couple of lengths.

Blue Noodles (62 sectional rating) ensured a strong pace in the 7f handicap won by Victorian Number and comes out best on sectional ratings, if not quite well enough to make the shortlist.

Thwart's race was about the most steadily-run on the card, with first three all nudging 35.0s for the last 3f, and it may not be reliable form. There is little between the trio on sectionals.

The overall time of Apollo d'Negro's race is not especially good given how it was achieved: it should always be remembered that sectional analysis is a form of time analysis and that sectionals and overall times are intrinsically linked. 

The race won by Bright Glow is perhaps the most interesting of all. It was steadily-run, at the very least, and the overall time suffered. That said, Bright Glow's mark-up for a closing sectional of about 34.3s is a healthy one, and she looks one to keep on the right side.

Runner-up Claude Greenwood (56 sectional rating) got the run of the race more than most, while fifth-placed Loucal (55 sectional rating) was probably even better than the 3f figures make him look, only really closing late on into a quickening pace. 

A poor overall time despite a fairly efficient pace marks the final race down as one to view with some suspicion. Edgware Road will do well to follow up.

To Follow: Bright Glow, Loucal
To Oppose: Claude Greenwood, Edgware Road 

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