PIQUE OF THE BUNCH
PIQUE ROCK (4.0) is worth a solid bet for in-form Henry Daly on another trappy fixture at Ludlow.
The mare has gone from strength to strength for her current handler and cruised to victory in a warm course and distance novice last time.
There should be lots more to come over timber and she can take full advantage of a fair opening mark.
Jonjo O’Neill is an expert with staying chasers and can land with DREAMSOFTHEATRE (2.55). Useful over fences, the gelding lurks on an attractive mark after being successfully campaigned over hurdles.
IT’S NOT UNUSUAL (7.15) can call the tune for Archie Watson at Chelmsford. The filly is upwardly mobile on the all-weather and remains open to progress after her good course and distance second to Channel
Packet. Roger Varian remains in decent form and can add
WILBURY TWIST (7.45). The three-year-old has thrived on artificial surfaces and can defy a 4lb hike for her cosy win over Sonnet Rose at Lingfield.
LIBERISQUE (8.15) can land the odds for Ed de Giles in the Laser Endeavour Handicap.
The gelding relished stepping up in trip when decisively beating Guardiola here and remains nicely unexposed over 1m 2f. GUARDIOLA (8.45) ran a stormer in that race and can go one better on his first start for shrewd Bernard Llewellyn.
More cracking all-weather bets at Kempton start with
TORO DORADO (4.30). Ed Dunlop’s juvenile chased home Torolight over course and distance in a career best and is off the same mark.
THE PINTO KID (5.30) rates a confident selection for James Fanshawe. The three-year-old improved again to slam Pilot
Wings here and can strike over slightly further. Mick Channon is thriving and FITZWILLY (6.0) can shade a trappy two-miler. A winner here in September, the gelding remains well handicapped after his cracking second to runaway winner Graceful Lady at Newbury.
■ Rising two-miler Saint Calvados will take on Altior in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown next month.
■ Tom Lacey says major fancy Thomas Partick will go for next month’s Ladbrokes Trophy as long as Newbury has soft ground.