KEMPTON

12:55

Another Brown Bear (James Bowen)

He was quite disappointing at Haydock last time but the ground was very boggy there and he was never really happy, but the surface at Kempton is always slightly better than many other tracks so hopefully he’ll handle it and his work has been good.

Major Sting (Nico De Boinville)

He’s got to bounce back from a poor run at Warwick last time where he jumped appallingly but he’s been away to jumping school and is much better. He showed plenty of promise in his bumper and the step up in trip will suit so he goes there with a good chance.

1:32

Falco Blitz (Nico De Boinville)

He badly needed his first run of the season at Bangor last time so he’ll be much sharper here and the drop back in trip is a plus although he’s better going the other way round. He’s still plenty high enough in the weights but is gradually coming back down and he’s run some nice races around here so I expect him to run very well.

2:05

Mister Fisher (James Bowen)

To be honest I thought he ran very well in the King George on his first run back and even Sean said he couldn’t believe how well he was going at the end of the back straight, but it was always a big ask off the back of an interrupted preparation so in the circumstances he put up an excellent performance. He’s got a very good record at Kempton and the trip is perfect, therefore he must have outstanding claims in a particularly suitable race.

2:40

Marie’s Rock (Nico De Boinville)

It was great to see her get her career back on track last time because it’s been a long road back but she finally showed what we knew she was capable of. She’s now up to 140 which will obviously make things more difficult but she’s in great form at home and has her ideal ground and trip.

Call Me Lord (James Bowen)

He hasn’t won since winning the Unibet International Hurdle a couple of years ago and he’s yet to convince over fences and didn’t really seem to enjoy it so we’re switching back to hurdles and he’s gradually coming down the weights so shouldn’t be ruled out entirely.

Monte Cristo (Connor Brace)

He’s a very capable person with some decent form and he has definitely improved for his first run back. The Handicapper has dropped him another few pounds which is an obvious help and a reproduction of his course and distance win here four runs ago would see him in with every chance. He wouldn’t want it any softer so Connor will be going as wide as he can all the way round to get the best ground.

3:15

Caribean Boy (James Bowen)

He got no further than the first fence at Ascot last time but that was just an unfortunate blip and he’s schooled fine since then. He hasn’t won for a while but is very smart on his day and could be dangerously well handicapped here so must be taken very seriously.

3:50

First Street (Nico De Boinville)

He was quite progressive until running a little disappointing in the Unibet Persian War at Chepstow but we’ve tinkered with his wind and I must admit his work has been very good. He wears the hood just to keep him relaxed and it will be interesting to see how he fares on his handicap debut back down in trip.

Mengli Khan (James Bowen)

He arrived here last year rated 150 over fences and now he’s down to 131 but I’m afraid it is no real surprise because he’s yet to show his very best form for us and you couldn’t really back him with any confidence.

WARWICK

12:40

Flinter Sacre (Aidan Coleman)

Unfortunately things haven’t really gone his way since his bumper days simply because he was just much too keen so we’ve done plenty of work in trying to get him to settle and I hope he relaxes on the track. He’s had a wind op and will wear a hood so there’s not much else I can do! This looks a nice little race for him and if Aidan can switch him off he should hopefully go close.

2:25

Surrey Quest (Aidan Coleman)

You couldn’t help but be impressed with him at Doncaster last time despite running a little wayward approaching the last, but that was simply because he was getting lonely in front and he’s learning all the time. This is a step up in grade but he fully deserves to be here and is most definitely on the upgrade.

4:05

Luccia (Ben Ffrench Davis)

She’s from a family we know very well being out of Earth Amber, who we trained, making her a half brother to Hooper, so she’s nicely bred and has been showing me all the right signs at home. This might not turn out to be one of the strongest bumpers you’ll see, in which case she should hopefully be on the premises.