Monday October 12th

Two races of interest at Kempton today.

Diamond Twister goes in the opener and looks a fair price to win for the first time since February. He has generally been in good form but has slipped to a mark of 64 after a disappointing run at Wolverhampton last time where he was given a fairly easy time of it by Robert Winston. The selection pulled his chance away over the extended nine furlongs in a messy race, and was allowed to come home in his own time once his chance had gone. That was a stronger contest than this, and the drop in class and trip could be just what Diamond Twister requires. The stable claimer takes off a useful 3lb into the bargain and he is well drawn for one who will like to sit prominent over this trip. John Best's mob have been in better for of late and if the selection is going to win again this year, it should be today.

The fillies maiden looks interesting also. The market looks a little lopsided in favour of the joint favourites, who represent Richard Fahey and William Haggas. I think the contest looks more open that the market suggests, and am happy to play a couple of bigger priced horses against what I feel are under priced rivals. Ed Vaughan had a winner here the other night, and his representative, the well bred Vert Chapeau, looks to hold better claims than her price suggests. She was well away on debut in a better contest than this (form has not worked out so far, but to early to write off most of them) and pulled too hard for her head in the early part of the contest to give her any chance of finishing of well. The drop to six furlongs looks ideal and she should be there or thereabouts at the finish granted normal improvement. Sylvester Kirk runs Hulcote Rose, a 95,000 daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar. She made a nice debut at Newbury, travelling well and showing a willingness to run between horses to better her position before fading in the closing stages. Whether she was green when she hit the front or simply tired, I can't tell. It is interesting, though, that she has not run since because this suggests she may have had a problem. If she is 100% today and shows the benefit of that debut she is also certainly overpriced.


Best Recommendations:

2.10 Kempton Diamond Twister 4pts win @ 11/2 (Stan James, Guaranteed) 2nd

4.00 Kempton Vert Chapeau 1pt each-way @ 25/1 (Generally, guaranteed)

4.00 Kempton Hulcote Rose 1pt each-way @ 33/1 (VC Bet, guaranteed) E/W 3rd