KEMPTON PARK RACING 2020 MEETING #16 WEDNESDAY 30th SEPTEMBER

Welcome to Kempton Park racecourse here for another evening meeting as we return to regular action on the all weather flat track under the lights but behind closed doors for the time being. We will keep blogging throughout 2020 till the end of the year. British horse racing has safely returned behind closed doors as part of a phased return for the sport. In doing so we will be introducing strict protocols designed to safeguard everyone's health and well being and to ensure that racing can take place safely behind closed doors. These measures have been developed in consultation with government and public health officials to help keep those attending safe and include:

• A three stage health check that all attendees on courses will have to pass;
• Strict social distancing measures on course
• Detailed new guidance for all participants on how they will have to do things differently on course in order that we can race safely and mitigate any risks.

In addition the courses are reducing the use of any medical or NHS services to a minimum, acting responsibly by using private ambulances, hospitals and medics – to protect the NHS. For those working at an event, including officials, racecourse staff and participants, the implementation of these guidelines ensures that racing will take place in a more controlled environment than most day-to-day activities.

Back to the horse racing all results here are reported to 1pt at Starting Prices (SP) was a month since out last meeting here, where sadly we dropped a couple more points but as we are now in September and after meeting #15 and some unfortunate near misses we find ourselves in a loss for the year to a figure of -38.515 points, results are always recorded to SP we will aim to get us back into the winners enclosure again soon and see further improvement in the results.

Throughout the 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 we had been fairly successful with our selections throughout last year managed to get plenty of favourites beat so we finished on 40/54 (74%). We reset the counters for 2020 and will be continuing this throughout the year again. Currently a decent start with plenty of short priced favourites getting beat, two more short priced favs beat last time we now have stats of 19/27 (70.37%) after the latest meeting.

This week we are back with a Wednesday evening meeting during this interrupted period, this will be meeting #16 for the 2020 midweek season. Tonight we shall be expecting a nine race card with no fewer than six handicaps which will keep us busy. The action will now commence at 16:25 with the division of the opening six furlong novice stakes and we should end the card around about 20:30 with our final handicap contest over the stayers trip of mile and seven furlongs.

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

Going and Weather -- The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is for a lot of cloudy weather and some rain expected the temperature to reach around 17C by the time the meeting gets underway a sure sign that Autumn is upon us now.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

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1m [Class 6  14 runners]

The seven year old Fivehundredmiles [7th 12/1] can be competitive off this mark but does need all things to drop his way, still attractive at 20/1 here while the 4yo filly Lady Morpheus [2nd 4/1] is a course and distance winner and although up a few pounds since then has William Buick in the saddle for trainer Gary Moore, wouldn't be too surprised for another big run here.

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1m [Class 3  14 runners]

Won back to back races earlier in year, Golden Force [7th 16/1] has got a little to find off 6lb higher, but Hayley Turner could be the trick and a big run at 20/1 isn't out of the question while Artistic Rifles [Non Runner] is another multiple winner on turf, having only his second try on the all weather, at least a regular winner and therefore high on our list tonight.

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1m 2f 219y [Class 3  8 runners]

Smallest field handicap tonight has top weight Emirates Knight [2nd 11/4] back down in grade and this more his sort of opposition having been last at Ascot, on a recovery mission but does run well here and should be close. Iffraaz [WON 5/1] won at a big price here for Mark Johnston and another who will appreciate the return to all weather track and smaller field.

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1m 2f 219y [Class 6  14 runners]

A field of three year olds, my first consideration is Ripon winner Lord Warburton [Non Runner] ran well again when runner up at Wolves and although unable to run to form a few days later that run could have come too soon, has had a small break and should be right in the mix tonight. On The Right Track [3rd 18/1] seemed to appreciate the extra trip with his best effort so far a third place at Salisbury and might continue to improve here.

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7f [Class 5  14 runners]

Runner up at Wolves last time Swiss Pride [6th 6/1] was running on and could be able to strike tonight. Late Arrival [WON 2/1] having had three places this year returns to the all weather track and off a mark of 75 could strike at a nice price while the yard is in decent form and William Buick booked to ride.

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1m 7f 218y  [Class 6  14 runners]

Walk It Talk It [7th 18/1] had shown her liking for a test of stamina with a couple of place runs though last time out was disappointing will give her another chance in this low grade. While support for Call My Bluff [WON 10/3] after his success at Goodwood over 2m would be significant and it's possible he can go in again on the all weather track.

Staked -- 12 points.       Returns -- 15.33 points.
Results will appear here later during Wednesday evening. This season we started afresh and will try hard to stop going well behind but all results are accurate and recorded to SP returns to a 1pt win stake only and updated each meeting. A disappointing start to 2020 now sees us behind after meeting #15 to the tune of -38.515 overall and we need some more winners to get back into profit. A small success overall tonight with some welcome victories in the last few races. Loss is reduced slightly to -35.185 carried over to next week.

Lays -- 19/27. We had a good season last year with the lays, aiming at favourites and not afraid to take on short odds on shots too. The plan will be for at least one or two each meeting and we will keep those results separate from the handicaps. Two short price favs won tonight in the opening races and that's the chance you take laying short ones I guess. At least our third choice as unable to win, so 20/30.

Tonight's Lays;

16:25 - Operatic  [6f Fillies Novice]  Won 6/5f ;(

16:55 - Chocoya  [6f Fillies Novice]  Won 8/11f  ;(

18:00 - Siam Fox  [1m 2yo Stakes]  Lost 3rd 9/4 ;)

Our next evening meeting here will be next week Wednesday 7th October hope you can join us again soon but most importantly remain safe and well.