KEMPTON PARK RACING 2020 MEETING #18 WEDNESDAY 14th OCTOBER

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) our last meeting here a week ago, where sadly we dropped a few more points, we are now in October and after meeting #17 and some unfortunate near misses we find ourselves in a loss for the year to a figure of -41.685 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 22/33 (66.67%) after the latest meeting.

This week we return with a Wednesday evening meeting during this interrupted period, this will be meeting #18 for the 2020 midweek season. Tonight we shall be expecting a nine race card with no fewer than eight handicaps after the opening and closing races have both been divided, so that will keep us busy. The action will now commence at 16:25 with our first handicap over six furlongs and we should end the card around about 20:30 with our final handicap contest over 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 14C by the time the meeting gets underway a sure sign that Autumn is upon us now.
Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

16:25  Unibet Thanks The Frontline Workers Handicap (Div One)
6f  [Class 6  9 runners]

Our opening race which has been divided into two divisions is over 6f with a field of nine, headed by Griggy who hasn't been in great form since the start of the year and needs to get some more help from the handicapper although maybe he likes the colder weather we will see. ENGLISHMAN [7th 12/1] is one who despite his advancing years still runs well on turf and all weather and will all his experience I expect a big run and a certain place effort at least. The filly COME ON GIRL [4th 7/2] is another to keep on side in this grade, has winning form and the 3yo has time on her side too.

16:55  Unibet Thanks The Frontline Workers Handicap (Div Two)

6f [Class 6  9 runners]

The second division also has a field of nine, headed by Lorna Cole a course and distance winner here a couple of weeks back. But will oppose with couple of very lightly raced fillies in BLUE DAWN [4th 7/2] (Ed Walker) and DELLA MARE [6th 22/1] (A Carroll) a low quality race that won't take much winning.

18:00  Try Our New Super Boosts At Unibet Handicap

6f [Class 2  10 runners]

Probably the best quality race on tonight's card, MOTAGALLY [3rd 4/1] has four wins in the last year and while up in weights again could still have a bit more in the tank still and worth a go while the filly MOMENT OF SILENCE [9th 9/1] has only had the four races for Godolphin and this is her first Uk run of the season her last run being at Meydan in January.

18:30  Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Nursery

1m [Class 4  7 runners]

Only the seven 2yo's to choose from for the only Nursery handicap on tonight's card, TORNADIC [2nd 11/2] having won both his starts so far is the one to begin with and could be on a lowly mark we will wait and see. Richard Hannon would have a decent amount of 2yo's and his ESCOBEDO [7th 9/2] was sent to Ascot for both starts to date, has tried to lead and mark all each time but beaten by quality opposition each time and will be interesting to see what tactics are employed tonight in what looks like an easier race.

19:00  Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap

1m [Class 3  14 runners]
Had been in reasonable form prior to his Chepstow win so JUMAIRA BAY [3rd 11/2] is worth another go back in this grade while SHAMAROON [6th 9/2] won for Sir Michael Stoute at Chelmsford and could be able to progress in handicaps now with plenty of time on his side.

19:30  Unibet Extra Place Offers Every Day Fillies' Handicap

7f [Class 5  13 runners]

FRONT OF LINE [7th 13/2] had one of her better runs last time out at Chelmsford when runner up to Seas of Elzaam and could well progress again if able to keep a straight path. While the lightly raced LADY ANDAZ [10th 3/1] is only having her fifth career start tonight and has appeared to be improving with each run, should not be too far away again here.

20:00  Unibet Casino Handicap (Div One)

7f  [Class 6  14 runners]

Division one of what should have been the finale tonight can go to top weight RED BRAVO [5th 10/3] who was able to account for a similar field to this over at Nottingham on soft going and as long as this surface isn't a big shock to the system should be right there. Support for JOYFUL DREAM [4th 10/1] would be interesting having been placed regularly when making the trip to Sunbury and although a regular at Brighton can make her presence felt here too with Nicola Currie taking over in the saddle.

20:30  Unibet Casino Handicap (Div Two)

7f  [Class 6  14 runners]

Division two has another fourteen in the stalls, FAREWELL KISS [4th 8/1] won at Wolves two starts ago and only up 3lb and that is offset by the 5lb claim of her jockey this evening. TWITTERING [8th 20/1] is one I'm taking a bit of a chance with at decent odds on offer, won a Leicester seller last year, and his best effort since was a third here three starts back, has dropped a few pounds and this is fairly low grade and a good experienced jockey on board now hopefully can spark some improvement in the three year old.

Staked -- 16 points.       Returns -- Nil 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 2020 so far now sees us behind after meeting #17 to the tune of -41.685 overall and we need some more winners to get back into profit. Worst evening for a long time, no winners and drops 16 points. -57.685 Poor. 

Lays -- 22/33. 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. Successfully got an odds on shot beat tonight, nice, 23/34.

Tonight's Lays;
17:30 - Hello Me  [6f 2yo Novice Stakes]. LOST 2nd 8/11f

Our next evening meeting here will be next week Wednesday 21st October hope you can join us again soon but most importantly remain safe and well.