Total Commitment expected to bounce right back
– Total Commitment is forgiven for a lapse at Ascot last time and should relish the return to Kempton’s all-weather surface today for the Matchbook VIP Handicap at the Sunbury venue.
Roger Charlton’s three-yearold was clearly expected to go close as he was sent off favourite, but he was well-beaten in the end to suggest he ran way below form.
It is possible it could have been the “bounce factor” as the Exceed And Excel gelding had won less than two weeks earlier at Newmarket on his first run for 261 days.
Total Commitment has had enough time to get over those latest exertions and returns to a track where he opened his account in December.
Dubrava can follow up a course success eight weeks ago in the Matchbook Betting Podcast Fillies’ Handicap. The Roger Variantrained filly got up close home over 1400m to land a first career win. The step up to 1600m looks sure to suit the daughter of Dansili.
By Rail shaped well when only beaten half a length by Topology on his first visit to Kempton three weeks ago. Nick Littmoden’s dualpurpose five-year-old can go one better in the Matchbook Handicap.
Young Fire is of obvious interest in the Legendary Western House Hogmanay Ball Handicap at Ayr. Formerly trained in France by Freddy Head, the four-year-old was snapped up for 32,000 euros at the Arqana sale at Deauville in early July.
His first couple of runs for David O'Meara were fairly ordinary, but he made it third time lucky for his new connections with a narrow success at Haydock at the start of the month. Young Fire might be able to follow up off a 1.3kg higher mark, with the testing conditions sure to suit.
Chaplin Bay can bounce back following a disappointing display on the all-weather at Newcastle by making a triumphant return to turf in division one of the Book Your Christmas Party At Ayr Racecourse Handicap.
Ruth Carr’s seven-year-old is much better judged on previous efforts that included a victory over this 1400m in August.
The Navigator can steer his way to success in the Winter Weddings At Western House Hotel Handicap. The Dianne Sayertrained four-year-old can make light of a 1.8kg rise for beating Equidae a length at Carlisle three weeks ago.
Ringaringarosie was only caught in the closing stages when beaten half a length by My Renaissance on her last race at Sedgefield. Martin Todhunter’s mare runs off the same mark in the Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Handicap Chase at the County Durham circuit and can go one better, especially if ridden with more restraint over this longer trip.
Emma Lavelle’s Manofthemountain clearly benefited from a wind operation when winning last time out and can follow up in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Novices’ Handicap Chase at Southwell.
Having his first start for a new yard since leaving Jamie Snowden and his first over fences, the six-year-old looks to have plenty more in his locker. – Press Association