KEMPTON PARK RACES 2019 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #3 23rd JANUARY

And we're back again for the next installment of what I hope will prove to be a productive year in 2019.

January coming to an end, if you been "Dry" then don't worry Feb 1 is the start of the six nations so get a few drinks in you !! Personally I've been doing "Wet" January to keep up the balance and the status quo ... you're welcome. Things are back to normal with work and the cold dark mornings and equally murky nights. The lights will still shine brightly here at Kempton Park throughout this year. We are hopeful of better season than we experienced last year but it's just some fun and excitement to mix up the week. Cheltenham Festival and the the new flat season proper is only a few months away and we started the year on a relatively positive note after the opening week.

Lets continue with our third Wednesday night of 2019, and will continue to focus on the handicap contests for each Wednesday evening meeting though we will also occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too if there is one available. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1 point level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds than this but for the purpose of these results here we simply record SP returns only. Following last week's disappointing results we are behind -14 point to SP. 

Once more this year we will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of anticipated short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures, last year we had a 66% strike rate 22/33 and as we begin the new year we will once more keep accurate figures win or lose. We were successful with our first selections so far and are 2/2 a 100% record I wonder how long that will last into 2019. 

This Wednesday is meeting number Three for the 2019 AW season and we are expecting a bumper eight race card tonight with no less than Six Handicaps this week for us to look through and enjoy,  the action which will commence at 16:40 with a 6f handicap contest and the card ends around about 20:15 with another handicap over a mile.

Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; RACECARD

The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is for a cold day with some cloud cover and a top temperature will only be about 4C by the time the meeting gets underway so please wrap up warm, take a hip flask too.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

16:40 -- 6f Handicap.
We open tonight with a sprint handicap over 6f and will be interesting to see how top weight DEER SONG [10th 10/1] fares tonight having won here last time out and has gone well off similar marks in the past. Will pair that with CRAZY PAVING [Non Runner] a seven year old that has campaigned off higher marks and should appreciate this drop into class seven company.

18:15 -- 7f Handicap (3yo).
Our next handicap event is for three year olds and only the seven declared which is disappointing for the grade, top weight Brandon looks too high for his three maiden events even though was runner up in the final of these attempts over at Wolves. 

We side with the pair of HUA HIN [5th 20/1] who won first time up for Richard Hannon and also URBAN HIGHWAY [3rd 10/1] who was consistent as a 2yo and worth a look at this first try as a 3yo.

18:45 -- 6f Handicap.
Another small field of seven where our picks are RED ALERT [4th 14/1] and LAST PAGE [2nd 13/2]. Both off the track since last year, might be worth catching them fresh and both have reasonable claiming jockey's on board taking off a valuable few pounds.

19:15 -- 1m 2f 219yds Handicap.
A race where top weight UNIT OF ASSESSMENT [Lay] has to shoulder a penalty following his win just over a week ago. Will oppose as too short in the market and for me the proven course and distance form of ILHABELA FACT [2nd 15/8F] and MY BROTHER MIKE [6th 11/2] make more appeal here tonight.

19:45 -- 1m 3f 219yds Handicap.
The likes of EMBERS GLOW [WON 3/1] was a very creditable 2nd of 13 around here last time out and will surely have a good chance to score, however we also like another ARLECCHINO'S ARC [7th 10/1] who was runner up too and although a maiden has had plenty of experience around this course. 

20:15 -- 1m Handicap.
Our finale over the mile but still plenty of interest in MAGIC MIRROR [2nd 5/2] a course and distance winner but also winning over longer trips, seems very versatile and entitled to go well again. The likes of ELENORA DELIGHT [WON 6/1] should improve for the step up to the mile and is weighted to be involved too.

Staked -- 12 points.
Returns -- 12 points.

Results will appear here later on Wednesday night. After last week's disappointing week two, losing 13 points, we are down now -14 points. Hopefully we can improve this soon. Couple of wins in the final races meant we broke evening tonight and remain down -14 points. 

LAYS -- 3/3.  Nice start to the year with successful lays in the opening couple of meetings, will see if we can add to that tonight. Got it beat again tonight, keeping our run going, see how long that continues.

Tonight's Lays;
19:15 -- Unit of Assessment. Lost 7th.

Our fourth meeting for this year will be held on Wednesday 6th February so hope to see you then and throughout 2019 too.