Kempton
12.20pm
Chaparral Prince
He clearly had a problem with his breathing when he disappointed us on his hurdling debut at Fontwell back in September, but a wind op looks to have done the trick on the evidence of his run here over Christmas. He clearly shaped a lot better when second to a newcomer there, and hopefully, he can continue to progress now. He will probably need to raise his game again here, though this has cut up and he looks the form horse going into the race.
3.15pm
Josses Hill
He rather lost his way after a good second in the rescheduled Peterborough Chase at Taunton last season but he shaped much in the same race, in its more familiar surroundings at Huntingdon, on his reappearance. That was his first start since a wind op, so let’s hope he can kick on from there. The handicapper has been a touch harsh by raising him 3lb for that – he is an 11yo now, though he was around many higher-rated horses last time, admittedly – so he will need to. He has his stamina to prove over 3m here too, but it felt like a move well worth exploring after that Huntingdon run, and we know he loves it around here, and the ground is perfect for him. If he is going to get the trip, it will be in these conditions.
