MEE’S RIGHT FOR KEMPTON

AS DE MEE CAN TIME IT RIGHT TO LAND THE BETDAQ HANDICAP CHASE AFTER AINTREE DISAPPOINTMENT

As De Mee failed to sparkle over the Grand National fences on his most recent outing.

But he can put that disappointment behind him in tomorrow’s Betdaq Handicap Chase at Kempton.

Paul Nicholls has the eight-year-old in the mix for the big one in April and this return to regulations fences can serve as a nice confidence-booster ahead of the big day at Aintree.

As De Mee has had a mixed bag of results so far this term, beating subsequent Sky Bet Chase hero Wakanda on his second start of the season at Kelso back in October, before finding Gold Cup favourite Might Bite a step too far in a Listed heat at Sandown.

That was not a bad run in finishing fourth by any means, so he was not without supporters when he hit the 10th fence and unseated Sean Bowen in the Becher Chase in December.

Heavy ground that day would hardly have been in As De Mee’s favour either, so better conditions here combined with standard fences should see Nicholls’ runner in much better light.

Fellow Nicholls inmate Cyrname should also be on the scoresheet in the Betdaq Now 2% Commission Pendil Novices’ Chase.

He found Terrefort too good in the Scilly Isles Chase at the start of the month, but a neck defeat in Grade One company can hardly be knocked.

Two and a half miles on soft ground was perhaps at the very edge of his stamina reserves, but should be within his reach on this quicker turf.

Redicean is among the leading lights for the Triumph Hurdle so really should be winning the Betdaq #ChangingForTheBettor Adonis Juvenile Hurdle for Alan King.

The four-mile trip of Newcastle’s Betfred Eider Chase is going to take some getting but Harry Whittington expects it will play into the hands of his runner Vinnie Lewis.

The seven-year-old has proved his aptitude for heavy ground and a lengthy trip in winning his last two starts over three and a quarter miles at Sedgefield and three and a half miles at Plumpton.

He stayed on strongly to win by an easy six lengths on the latter occasion and while he jumps into the unknown here, there is every reason to hope he will see out this marathon trip.

Lady Buttons has been mixing it with some of the best over hurdles and fences this term but she will appreciate a drop in quality for the Betfred Super League Novices’ Chase.

Pearl Swan was a useful runner in his day and should not be dismissed as he returns from a year on the sidelines in the Pertemps Opportunities Around The Corner Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow.

John Gosden looks set for another stellar year with both Enable and Cracksman staying in training and while Utmost is not of their calibre, he is surely good enough to win the Betway Winter Derby Stakes at Lingfield.

The four-year-old failed to hit the kind of heights connections would have hoped for, but he seems to be on the upgrade now he has another winter under his belt and booked his place here with a fine victory in the trial event.

Utmost probably will not get as easy a lead here, but he is one on the upgrade and this Group Three prize could be a springboard to even better events over the summer.

Orvar looks a really promising all-weather type and victory in the Betway Hever Sprint Stakes would confirm that opinion.

Midsummer Knight is one to note in the 32Red.com Handicap at Wolverhampton after a frustrating run of placed efforts late last year.