Kempton & Warwick - Saturday 10th January

I will be at Kempton on Saturday (weather permitting) for the first venture to the track of 2026. Let's start there. 

12:55, Coral 'Daily Rewards Shaker' Handicap Chase

Lookaway 11/2, 2.5pts win
Leader In The Park 5/2, 1pt win (saver)

Ben Pauling's Leader In The Park deserves to be favourite here on the back of a good run last time out at Newbury. He's already a winner here but there's a chance that Neil King's likeable 9 year old Lookaway could appreciate this track on his first attempt here. He's been left alone on a mark of 135 after finishing 3rd at Newbury last time but he looked the winner for much of the race and the shorter straight here could lend itself better to his front running tactics better than the long one at Newbury. 

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15:17, Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle

A Pai De Nom 11/2, 2pts each-way (5 places)
Came From Nowhere 11/1, 2pts each-way (5 places)

One of the better renewals of the Lanzarote I can remember. Lainsborough is well fancied after bolting up at Doncaster last time out and looks progressive. This is a big step up in grade however. French Ship has been on a roll this season and comes into this looking for a third straight win but top weight will be challenging to defy. Instead it could pay to go with a couple of other improving novices. Dan Skelton's A Pai De Nom hacked up at Cheltenham in October and followed that up over the shorter trip at Leicester last time out. He still looks well ahead of the handicapper and is made for these sort of events it seems. He must have a big chance for a trainer who has sent out the last 2 winners of this. Jeremy Scott's Came From Nowhere won well at Hereford last time out on his first go at a longer trip. He looked to have plenty in hand that day and this step up in trip again looks a good move. The stable is going very well and he's on a lovely light weight. Big chance. 

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Warwick

13:15, William Hill Racing Bet Builder Handicap Chase

Bank On Frank 10/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Ben Pauling's Bank On Frank ran a career best to finish 2nd at Fontwell in November despite never looking a likely winner until he picked up well after the last. It could be that he didn't like the track and will be more at home here. 

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14:25, William Hill Racing Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle

Premier 13/2, 1.5pts each-way (5 places)

Warren Greatrex's 4 year old finally got his act together when narrowly winning at Taunton last time out. He's still improving and likes to come late. This big field should play to his strengths and he's one of the few in this which are relatively unexposed. 

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14:55, William Hill Half A Mill Classic Handicap Chase

L'homme Presse 6/1, 2pts win

A small but select field for this year's Classic Chase. Plenty have chances but there is a chance that Grade 1 winner L'homme Presse could outclass these on favourable soft ground. He can build on a nice seasonal debut at Cheltenham last time out.