Selections for the Eight Races from Kempton, Lingfield and Newcastle
ITV Racing focuses on Kempton, Lingfield and Newcastle on Saturday, with eight live races to look forward to across the cards. Racing Tips have provided insight into all eight races, with a selection in each.
Le Cameleon (1:15 Kempton)
Seven-year-old LE CAMELEON put up a solid performance when shouldering top weight last time out at Fontwell, jumping boldly under jockey David Bass to run out a comfortable winner over the extended 2m3f trip.
A 3lb rise in the weights for that winning effort doesn’t look insurmountable considering Nick Williams’ charge has run well from higher marks in the past over the larger obstacles.
Although stepping back up in grade, Le Cameleon has plenty in his favour on Saturday and with the ability to handle testing ground if conditions deteriorate, the seven-year-old makes plenty of appeal at the prices, especially with connections enlisting the services of jockey Harry Cobden who is a rare booking for the yard.
Exalted Angel (1:30 Lingfield)
All-weather action also takes place on ITV this Saturday and the first of those contests is a Listed sprint over 5f. Strong Power has improved no end this season and could still have more to come for trainer Alice Haynes.
However, the marked rise in class could find him out and instead the vote goes to EXALTED ANGEL who should appreciate the return to 5f having endured a troubled passage over 6f in Listed company earlier this month.
Karl Burke’s six-year-old travelled well into the race turning for home on that occasion but was short of room at a crucial time when trying to deliver a challenge and ultimately, could never land a telling blow, finishing sixth.
There should be plenty of pace on in this contest which should suit Exalted Angel and he could be tough to beat if the gaps appear at the right time under Clifford Lee.
Pleasant Man (1:50 Kempton)
Milton Harris has enjoyed a tremendous season this year, largely in part to unbeaten hurdler Knight Salute who has proven to be a stable star in recent months since switching disciplines and joining from Andrew Balding’s yard.
The four-year-old could be tough to beat once more on Saturday but at the prices, it could pay to take a chance on PLEASANT MAN who is an eye-catching entry on the first hurdle start for trainer Paul Nicholls.
Formerly trained by Roger Charlton, the four-year-old showed some useful form on the flat and was a ready winner on debut for previous connections, beating none other than Pied Piper at Haydock who has since gone on to be a top-class prospect over timber for trainer Gordon Elliot.
If successfully transferring his flat ability to the smaller obstacles, Pleasant Man could prove to be a very talented recruit for trainer Paul Nicholls and if successful this weekend, connections will be eyeing up a tilt at the Triumph Hurdle at next month’s Festival.
Lord North (2:05 Lingfield)
It should take a smart performance to lower the colours of LORD NORTH who has smart Group 1 winning form in the book and should take plenty of beating in Lingfield’s Winter Derby.
The six-year-old has been successful at the highest level on two different occasions, readily landing the 2020 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and subsequently dominating proceedings when last seen on the track in March, comfortably taking the Dubai Turf at Meydan under Frankie Dettori.
Although Lord North has fitness to prove on seasonal return, he is much the best in this lineup back in Group 3 company and is difficult to oppose.
Minella Drama (2:25 Kempton)
Pic D’orhy still remains a smart novice chaser for trainer Paul Nicholls despite disappointing when last seen in the Scilly Isles at Sandown behind impressive winner L’homme Presse. The seven-year-old could well bounce back to form in this but certainly has questions to answer after dropping out tamely last time out.
Fantastic Lady is an interesting alternative for trainer Nicky Henderson but could have her work cut out upped markedly in grade on just her fourth start over the larger obstacles.
The solid option in this contest is, without doubt, MINELLA DRAMA who has won two out of four starts over fences and was an impressive winner when upped in distance last time out over 2m4f, travelling supremely well under Brian Hughes before quickening up well to land Grade 2 honours at Haydock by just over 9l.
Donald McCain’s charge ticks plenty of boxes on Saturday afternoon and Minella Drama can provide him with another winner in what has been a tremendous year for the Cheshire based handler.
Shallwehaveonemore (3:00 Kempton)
SHALLWEHAVEONEMORE appears to be another useful prospect for trainer Gary Moore after bolting up in a Class 3 novice hurdle at Sandown earlier this month by 20l.
The five-year-old was unlucky not to win on hurdling debut at Ascot last October, where he did remarkably well to stay in contention up until the closing stages after pulling hard and racing keenly throughout under Jamie Moore.
Shallwehaveonemore was then set a tough task in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle on just his second start and finished a disappointing fourth behind the imposing and dominant winner Constitution Hill.
However, Gary Moore’s charge finally put it all together last time out over that particular course and distance and certainly looked like a different proposition, making all and coming away from the field to run out a wide-margin winner.
It will be disappointing if he isn’t good enough to land this contest on Saturday and perhaps connections will consider sending him to the Festival next month if everything goes to plan.
History Of Fashion (3:15 Newcastle)
Irish raider HISTORY OF FASHION was an impressive winner when reverting back to 3miles at Down Royal last month, staying on strongly to draw right away from his ten rivals to win by 8l.
The eight-year-old only made his chasing debut back in December and has faced some difficult assignments in his short career so far over the larger obstacles, including coming up against a pair of talented runners from Willie Mullins’ yard in the shape of Blue Lord and Stratum.
Despite unseating on his penultimate start at Fairyhouse, History Of Fashion got off the mark in impressive style when last seen and should have plenty more to offer now tackling a marathon trip on just his fifth start over fences.
It seems unlikely that Pat Fahy would send his charge over without being confident he will stay the distance and with the prospect of more to come, his lightly raced chaser could prove to be well weighted on just his second start in handicap company and is certainly worth supporting on Saturday.
Phoenix Way (15:37 Kempton)
Trainer Harry Fry will have been pleased to see PHOENIX WAY finally return to winning ways over the larger obstacles last time out at Ascot. The nine-year-old has shown on more than one occasion that he is a talented individual when putting it all together, despite having underlying issues which have kept him from visiting the track more often.
Phoenix Way ran no sort of race last season when lining up in Grade 1 company at Aintree and faced a similar fate on seasonal return this campaign at Newbury, making several mistakes under Aidan Coleman before tailing off completely.
Connections may have finally found the key to him judged on his latest two efforts at Ascot. The nine-year-old travelled like the likeliest winner on penultimate start when finishing second in the Howden Silver Cup behind Annsam over 3miles. However, Phoenix Way soon went one place better last time out, making smooth headway in behind Fanion D’estruval before quickening clear under Kevin Brogan to run out a comfortable winner.
Saturday’s contest will demand more of him but Phoenix Way is a useful performer on his day and perhaps his best days over fences are still yet to come.