A Silver lining in prospect at Kempton
Silver Streak can claim a third successive victory in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Hurdle at Kempton tomorrow.
Evan Williams’ charge has bossed this Listed heat for the last couple of years, winning a moderate renewal in 2019 before seeing off the classy, if under par, Verdana Blue in some style last term in what was to become a defining season for the grey.
Silver Streak had always competed with credit at the highest level, but following an unfortunate incident in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle when he was carried out at the second, he gained a deserved Grade One verdict when shocking Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle over this course and distance.
The eight-year-old punctuated those two runs with a fine second in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham, but come the spring he was found out again in the Champion Hurdle, claimed by the exceptional mare Honeysuckle, and then he likely failed to stay two and a half miles when tackling the Aintree Hurdle.
Sceau Royal is the only one of his three rivals who is anywhere close on the ratings, and while Teqany should not be dismissed out of hand after a decent spell on the Flat, Silver Streak has not been beaten on his return for the last four seasons and Williams is sure to have him spot on for a title defence.
Good ground is another factor in his favour in what appears a potentially trappy heat.
Cobbler’s Dream is something of an unknown quantity in the other Listed event, the Unibet Extra Place Offers Every Day Novices’ Hurdle.
An £85,000 purchase after he won a bumper at Cork in April, the five-year-old made a perfect start for Ben Case when triumphing over hurdles at the first time of asking at Warwick last month.
He was not foot perfect that day, but ultimately won by six and a half lengths with any amount in hand and looks a runner on the up.
That comment also applies to Impulsive One, who can make it three from three for Nicky Henderson in the Jockey Club Supporting Racing Staff Week Juvenile Hurdle.
A 60,000 guineas purchase at the breeze ups in June 2020, Impulsive One won one of eight starts on the level for William Haggas, but has looked a different proposition over obstacles.
He made his debut in a race that was probably only an average heat, but a previous winner was comprehensively beaten 12 lengths in second, while he ran to a similar level in hacking up by 10 lengths at Huntingdon just under two weeks ago. Neither event was anything to write home about, but Impulsive One got the job done in emphatic style and should prove capable of a hat-trick under a penalty.