26/11/2012

After a busy weekend's racing, there understandably is a reduction in the quality of action again until next weekend. Plenty of horses put up good Cheltenham worthy displays and once again look towards Cheltenham Watch 2013 for a summary of performances.

13.30 Kempton

THE DRUIDS NEPHEW's connections will have been looking for the appropriate raced to compensate for going down by the smallest of margins to Hadrian's Approach at Ascot when last seen. The return to 3 miles should suit Andrew Turnell's charge and although conqueror that day Barry Geraghty returns on Spirit River, his mount today has to be watched before he can be backed. A truly sketchy jumper, his progress over the summer will need to be progressed before he can carry our money. The rest of the field would have to produce something they haven't shown before to challenge the favourite, and he looks set to make amends for that nose second. 6/4 Betvictor, Boylesports, Sportingbet

14.05 Kempton

Alasi's withdrawal makes this an easier event to decipher, as her inclusion is always noteworthy. Instead just Kells Belle will carry an 8 pound penalty here, and despite that she should get competitive. Her performance last time out was scintillating when she conceded bags of weight to win by 5 lengths easily, and confirmed the promise of when she beat Kaffie with a perfectly judged ride by Geraghty. In between she took a crack at Quevega and performed as well as could be expected and this is much more winnable. It's hard to see Kaffie reversing the form, even with the weight allowance as this further trip should play into the hands of Henderson's mare. However what may ultimately prove beyond her, is conceding the weight to a race fit KNOCKFIERNA. All but taken out the race when avoiding a faller 11 days ago at Clonmel, she will be in better shape than her rival, and the switch back to hurdles can only help her confidence further. She is also a proven soft ground performer and with the weight allowance will take a lot of beating. Alpine Breeze and Miss Milborne deserve mentions for coming into the race in good form, but would need to improve to pass the main two. 3/1 several

Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer