Kempton

2.05pm

Shang Tang

He just couldn’t quite reel in the winner over 2m3f at Taunton last time, and I think the longer trip will suit him here. There is plenty of stamina in his pedigree and a mark of 128 looks okay for this lightly-raced sort, too.

2.40pm

The Butcher Said

I think he is weighted to go well. He is 1lb lower than when fifth at Cheltenham last time out in November, and he has been freshened up with a few months off. His earlier second to Ramses De Teillee, where we were actually giving the winner 8lb, obviously reads very well and I reckon this better ground will suit him. He goes well fresh too, and I am really looking forward to sitting on him again. He has been running over 3m but I think he will enjoy 2m5f on a flat track on decent ground.

3.15pm

Drumconnor Lad

I rode him when he won what turned out to be a very strong Leopardstown handicap on Boxing Day, and I thought he did it really nicely for me over 2m at Ayr last week. He is 5lb well-in, as he doesn’t carry a penalty for that win, and steps up in trip here, but the extra half of a mile won’t be an issue – he is a winning pointer, and has won twice over the trip – and I think there is more to come from him.  The drier surface won’t be any problem at all, either. He has a very good chance in what is obviously a competitive race.