Paul Ferguson has two selections from Kempton for us on Saturday; Imperial Leader in the 14:55 and Oscar Hoof at 16:05. Compare odds and bet.
Kempton stages a decent card on Saturday and the 2m5f handicap hurdle looks the race of the day, with 20 going to post.
Classy mare Legacy Gold warrants plenty of respect stepping up in class, as does the imposing Special Catch, who will appreciate the drying ground, but Imperial Leader (2:55) has run well on ground softer than ideal of late and can go well from lower down the weights.
On a literal reading of the form when beating Ballyalton on his hurdles debut last season he is very well in and, more recently, he chased home Irish Saint at Ascot before finishing third to Fingal Bay at Exeter last time.
Down 1lb and with the ground coming right, the six-year-old shouldn’t be inconvenienced by the drop in trip and he looks sure to go well. With that in mind, take the early price and back him each-way in an open event.
Elsewhere on the card, First Mohican takes on Oscar Hoof (4:05) in the 2m novices’ hurdle and preference is for the latter, who looked one to follow when scoring at Doncaster last time.
The six-year-old, who was runner-up in a Listed event at Haydock on his hurdles debut, fairly bolted up last time and, though he has much more on his plate here, he can follow up with conditions to suit. The selection drops back in trip, but Nicky Henderson had him in over 2m5f on the same card, so he clearly doesn’t see it as an issue for the speedy individual.
Saturday’s selections:
14:55 Kempton – Imperial Leader 8/1 Betvictor
16:05 Kempton – Oscar Hoof 15/8 Bet365
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