Only brave will stand against Mighty Gurkha

MIGHTY GURKHA is expected to get back on the winning trail in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Conditions Stakes at Kempton.

Archie Watson’s rapid colt made a huge impression on his racecourse debut at Lingfield last summer, after which he performed with plenty of credit in Listed company at Royal Ascot and at Newbury.

The son of Sepoy made a successful return to the allweather in the Sirenia Stakes over course and distance in September, after which he disappointed in soft ground at Newmarket before providing Hollie Doyle with her first Breeders’ Cup ride at Keeneland.

That American speed test proved too much for Mighty Gurkha to handle, but he showed the adventure had not dimmed his enthusiasm one bit at Wolverhampton last month when he gave everything in front, only to be pipped at the post by the progressive Victory Heights.

Just as at Dunstall Park, Watson’s charge has to concede weight all round in today’s Fast-track Qualifier, but while there are some promising types in opposition, they will all need to improve significantly on what they have shown so far to peg back this game frontrunner.

There is every chance Watson and Doyle will double up in the following Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap, with the Hambleton Racing-owned GOING PLACES.

The five-year-old son of Frankel enters the handicap domain on a mark of 89 and the gelding is open to major progress following just three career starts.

SELECTIONS

CHELMSFORD: 1.10 Jumira Bridge, 1.40 Mercurist, 2.10 Casaruan, 2.40 Defined, 3.10 Nurse Florence, 3.40 Baby Sham, 4.10 Gold Standard. KEMPTON: 4.15 Sweet Celebration, 4.45 Kingsley Klarion, 5.15 Secret Potion, 5.45 Needwood Blossom, 6.15 MIGHTY GURKHA (NAP), 6.45 Going Places, 7.15 Paxos, 7.45 Mi Laddo, 8.15 Murhib.

PLUMPTON: 1.50 Natural History, 2.20 Brewers Project, 2.50 Echo Watt, 3.20 Bailarico, 3.50 En Coeur, 4.20 Mr Jack.

DOUBLE: Mighty Gurkha and Going Places.