5th November 2012

Yesterday was in terms of strike rate, the most successful day since this blog begun with 4 tips providing 3 winners and 1 non runner. The winner of the other race was also the most fancied horse once the selection was withdrawn. Although none of them were huge outsiders, it's always nice to win every race in a day, and hopefully the form can be carried into today's action.

14.40 Kempton

A typically competitive handicap event, the race should ultimately revolve around FOX APPEAL, Bold Chief and Black Thunder. The former didn't run particularly well at Cheltenham last time out, a track where I'm not convinced he enjoys himself, but he remains one with plenty of promise this season in handicaps like this and a return to form is expected. Bold Chief represents the new Harry Fry yard, and the trainer would have had a big say in King Of The Night's victory last year. He will be able to use that knowledge to help his leading charge in this race and he has to have a big chance to give the young trainer his third win since going independent. Black Thunder represents Fry's former mentor Paul Nicholls and is another who should perform well here but both he and Bold Chief may just find Fox Appeal more up to the task and race fit following that last run at Cheltenham. Beyond props up the racecard and although his trainer thinks he is on a workable mark, based on last season's run in this and his two forays on the flat I think he may just be out of his depth. This race might come a bit soon for Medinas but Hi Note has been running well and should be able to run into a place if one of the main three under performs. 10/1 Betvictor

15.10 Kempton

This 4 runner contest centres around GHIZAO and whether he can recapture the form of a couple of seasons ago. When he first joined the chasing ranks he blossomed and looked to be a serious prospect, slamming Captain Chris on two occasions, and one of them conceding 10 pounds to his rival. Things didn't go quite right in the Arkle and since then he has been struggling. On a couple of occasions I backed him hoping to have caught him back to form but he disappointed further. Subsequently problems were discovered and he has been given nearly a year off to get back to form and fitness. He rates far beyond his opponents if rediscovering his form and admittedly he is backed on faith. He is no price for an outright bet all things considered and I would much rather just see him show what he can do again and this will hopefully be the start of a season back where he belongs, in the winners enclosure. If however he hasn't recovered, the remaining 3 runners don't inspire much but Hell's Bay is given a chance to return to form. Kumbeshwar is a horse I steer well clear of and Maggio needs to improve to make an impact here. 1/1 Paddy Power

Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer