Monday 4th August 2014

Two horses of interest for this evening.

1pt each-way double on this evening's selections, 12/1 and 8/1 generally guaranteed.

5.50 Kempton Khelfan 4pts win @ 12/1 (Generally guaranteed)

Khelfan was noted posting an improved performance at Lingfield on her penultimate start at Lingfield. That was a moderate contest, but she saw the race out particularly well, doing her best work at the finish to suggest there might be improvement to come over six furlongs. She was taken out of a Ripon race due to deteriorating ground, and eventually ran at Lingfield over six in a decent race last week. She was noticeably weak on the exchanges pre race, and was never given much of a chance. Held up in rear, she got piles of kickback in her face and was never going to get involved. Saying that, she did run on well close home. Today's contest is a step down in class for her and her handicap mark is fair. A 5lb claimer is booked to ease her burden, and although she is drawn widest of all her hold up style of running means she shouldn't be too inconvenienced. This is a weak contest and she is a decent price at 12/1. 

7.15 Carlisle Mercer's Row 5pts win @ 8/1 (Generally guaranteed)

Mercer's Row has improved this season, and his run in a hot Redcar handicap last time out really caught the eye. He was sent off 25/1 for a good class 4 handicap and ran really well to finish sixth of seventeen having raced on the unfavourable far side of the track. He returns to Carlisle this evening, where his previous form figures read 1,2 and has the assistance of Gemma Tutty in this Lady Riders handicap, a jockey who knows him well. He races over a five and a half furlong trip, but I pointed out last time that he has plenty of speed and shouldn't be inconvenienced by this sort if distance. He seems to like this quirky track and the stiff finish will suit him well. He has a good draw in stall 5 and if Tutty can get a prominent early sit, I think he can take advantage of the drop back to 0-75 company at a price which underestimates his chance.

Profit & loss: day: -11.00 / month: -29.25 / year: +356.55