It’s day two of the Kempton Christmas Festival on Sunday with the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase the main dish at 2.30pm from the Sunbury venue.
They’ve got six races (12.45pm-3.40pm) and you can watch all the action via live streaming when logged into MansionBet. Our tipster has selections for all the Kempton action as Altior makes his eagerly anticipated seasonal bow.
12.45 – Get Your Ladbrokes 1 Free Bet Introductory Juvenile Hurdle (2m)
French imports Siroco Jo and Heross Du Seuil could scarcely be in better hands having joined Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson to commence their British careers. Any strong market support for either would require sitting up and taking notice.
However, Alan King isn’t averse to a Christmas winner at Kempton and HER INDOORS might get him on the board here. The Raven’s Pass filly was second in a Listed Aintree Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle earlier this month, unable to reel in the front-running winner, and can build on that decent form now.
Selection: Her Indoors @ 3/1
1.20 – Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (Grade 2, 2m)
Arkle favourite SHISKIN should make it 2-2 over fences by winning the Wayward Lad. He was foot perfect over 2m2f around here last month on his first outing over the larger obstacles and should be all the better for that run, his first since the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in March. Gumball might well have taken a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last month bar a late fall and he’ll likely force a decent pace in front in the hopes of ruffling some feathers.
Selection: Shiskin @ 2/7
1.55 – Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (3m½f)
This is without doubt a tougher assignment than the Plumpton contest she won earlier in the month but, given the sheer ease with which she completed that task, MIDNIGHTREFLECTION might just be equal to it. She’s been in good form this season as a whole and will be suited by any softening in the ground.
Hereford winner Molly Ollys Wishes and the hat-trick seeking Emmpressive Lady are the obvious dangers.
Selection: Midnightreflection @ 6/1
2.30 – Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase (Grade 2, 2m)
Having skipped the Tingle Creek at the last minute, Nicky Henderson earmarked this race for ALTIOR who will bid to carry on the symmetry of having won it in 2016, 2018 and now in 2020. If he retains most of his ability, he’s going to be hard to handle, though he will turn 11 next week.
Rouge Vif came up shy in the Sandown Grade 1, but shouldn’t be dismissed as he’s still a work in progress. He and Duc Des Genievres may attempt to run the finish from Altior, which could allow Sceau Royal to pick up some pieces.
Selection: Altior @ 4/6
3.05 – Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Handicap Chase (3m)
Having ended last season with a win at Taunton, MANOFTHEMOUNTAIN picked up where he left off by scoring at Bangor (3m, good) in September. He then contested a handicap at Cheltenham that was won by yesterday’s King George hero Frodon, with Ladbrokes Trophy scorer Cloth Cap in third, so he’s easily forgiven finishing fourth in that one. Emma Lavelle’s team are flying right now and there’s more mileage in this seven-year-old.
Selection: Manofthemountain @ 9/1
3.40 – Watch Racing Free Online At Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (2m)
Hang In There is dropping towards a mark from which he might have a race in him and his trainer is in a rich vein of form. He’s a possible contender while easy Warwick winner Cadzand and The Bees Knees also have claims. TORIGNI finished third on stable bow for Harry Whittington at Wetherby last month, some 515 days after his most recent start in France. That was encouraging and the winner has since scored again at Haydock. Daryl Jacob won the Boxing Day finale here and might do so again for retaining owners.
Selection: Torigni @ 7/1
*All odds correct at time of writing