Sprinter Sacre may be the star of the show at Kempton, but he offers very slim pickings for punters at current odds, and there are a couple at bigger prices on the card who make more appeal from a betting perspective.
It's always a concern when backing a yard whose runners show signs that all may not be well, and both Colin Tizzard and Alan King have recently reported many of their inmates to be virus-affected. It seems Kim Bailey can be added to that list, after yesterday's flop Twelve Roses was found to be "riddled with mucus" after a post-race scope. That's a shame, as Mrs Peachey would have been a confident selection in Kempton's 14:00 otherwise, but discretion is the better part of valour, and I cannot tip the mare with confidence with such a cloud hanging over her.
I will go instead to the three-mile handicap chase at 15:05 for my selection, and while Bally Legend is very much respected after winning at Exeter recently, the vote goes to the unexposed Valoroso, who caught the eye when falling at the last with the race at his mercy at Wincanton in January on what was just his second start over obstacles. Unfancied that day, he jumped better than his better-fancied rivals until that lapse, and slipped up on the flat on his next start. He got it right at Ffos Las in March, and was a big eye-catcher when fifth at Newbury (tongue tied) on his return, taken wide before making late headway under just a hand ride. He is a point winner out of a Roselier mare and promises to improve for the step back up to this trip, while any further softening of the ground will suit better than most.
Unlike most of today's rivals, Valoroso hasn't shown his full hand to the assessor by any means, and has scope to progress much further. His jumping is sure to improve with experience, and he strikes as the type to stay ahead of the handicapper for some time, so be sure to keep him on side.
Wetherby's feature race is the Castleford Chase (14:15), and this year's renewal is a fascinating one, with Majaala heading the weights, but looking in the grip of the handicapper based on his novice exploits. He's closely matched with His Excellency on Warwick form in February, but the latter has failed to fire this season, and is a tricky customer who always flashes his tail, and can look less than genuine as a result. Pepite Rose is well treated on the pick of her efforts, but that has come over further than two miles, and on better ground than she'll encounter today. The eye is inexorably drawn to King of The Wolds, a raw novice who the formbook tells us beat the poor and regressive Flichity over a staying trip at Fakenham last time. Such bare facts can be misleading, though, and there are reasons to be very sweet on Malcolm Jefferson's charge here.
King of The Wolds, despite that Fakenham win, is no slowcoach, and this enthusiastic front runner ought to benefit from a drop to the minimum trip after that bloodless success, made easier by the departure of chief rival Dursey Sound. He was prone to the odd error over hurdles, but already looks an assured jumper of the larger obstacles, and while he wouldn't want to get into a battle with Majaala for the early advantage, he looks more than capable of beating that rival in receipt of eighteen pounds.
Recommendations:
Back Valoroso @ [5.6] in the 15:05 Kempton (NAP)
Back King of The Wolds @ [3.3] in the 14:15 Wetherby (NB)
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