Get A Highrate On Your Investment

Highrate is taken to make a winning start for Kim Bailey when he contests the 3m handicap chase at Kempton (15:50) today. The gelding was successful over just short of three miles on his final start for Sue Smith at Hexham in May, having been campaigned at shorter trips prior to that. With easy ground putting stamina at a premium that day, there is little doubt that the son of Presenting had to get every yard of that trip to win, and he remains unexposed as a stayer. Kim Bailey has begun the autumn in fine style, with a flurry of wins, and while Highrate wasn't an expensive purchase from Trevor Hemmings, the seven-year-old looks the sort to pay his way this year.

This race is populated by runners with questions to answer, and Suburban Bay looks a poor favourite having failed to win since June 2011, despite being placed well by his trainer. He hinted at a revival last time, but is simply too easy to beat. Firm Order is also on a long losing run, and is another strong traveller who tends to find little at the business end. Moleskin is another to attract support, and can go well fresh, but looked on the downgrade last year, and hails from a yard still reeling from the travails of last autumn when laid low by the equine herpes virus. All in all, it looks a very winnable contest for the selection, and he'd be a clear favourite in my book.

The concluding novice hurdle also looks an open affair, but the horse to beat on form is Mick Channon's Warden Hill , who was a bumper winner on debut, and went down by the narrowest margin over hurdles at Ascot in April. That is solid form, and he looks more genuine that Master Benjamin, who has similar form in the book. A danger to all is Paul Nicholls' newcomer Howlongisafoot, but it's possible that this point winner is more of a long-term prospect (said to need plenty of cut), and the experience edge of Warden Hill swings the verdict in his favour.

Recommendations:

Both at Kempton

Back Highrate @ [5.8] in the 15:50 (NAP)

Back Warden Hill @ [5.2] in the 17:30 (NB)