Nicholls eyes Kempton wins

Trainer can expect to enjoy a double Sunbury success

Paul Nicholls can leave Kempton with two decent winners in the bag as As De Mee and Cyrname both look set for success at the Sunbury track.

AS DE MEE is in the mix for the Grand National and this return to regulations fences in the Betdaq Handicap Chase 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 his 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.

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.

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 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.

Rab Havlin was allowed to dictate the pace that day and when challenged, Utmost found plenty to run out a length-and-a-quarter winner with a fair bit seemingly in hand.

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. SELECTIONS: KEMPTON: 1.15 Monbeg Legend, 1.50 Cyrname, 2.25 Redicean, 3.00 Destrier, 3.35 AS DE MEE (NAP), 4.10 No Ceiling, 4.45 Pym.

LINGFIELD: 1.30 Ghost Serge, 2.05 Orvar, 2.40 Meerpat, 3.15 Utmost, 3.50 Chevallier, 4.25 Ay Ay, 5.00 Ban Shoof.

DOUBLE: As De Mee and Utmost.