Bleu is the colour
Lucifer Bleu looks the best bet on an intriguing midweek Kempton card when he tackles the Nigel Clark Totesport Tribute Handicap Hurdle.
David Pipe’s charge was slightly disappointing when only fourth in the Racing Post Chase, having been sent off the well-supported 15-8 favourite when last seen in action in that valuable handicap.
However, he had previously looked to have at least one decent prize in him when posting two easy victories at Hereford and Wincanton and is certainly not one to write off just yet.
Lucifer Bleu now has to contend with an elevated perch of 143 over fences, so it is hardly surprising connections have turned their attention to the smaller obstacles.
While it remains to be seen if Pipe’s inmate is as proficient over timber, he really does look thrown-in at these weights.
Gaspara can bounce back to winning ways in the Friends Of Nigel Clark Mares Only Novices Hurdle to provide the Pond House team with further cause for celebration.
Pipe’s filly was surprisingly turned over on her seasonal reappearance at Wetherby at the prohibitive odds of 1-2, but there was always a suspicion that she may find two miles too sharp.
She is well-treated for races of this nature when you consider she had the ability to finish second to Al Eile in a Grade One event at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.
And although Gaspara is sure to find things tougher this season, it will be more than disappointing if she fails to oblige again.
John Diamond has been hit hard for an emphatic reappearance win at Wincanton, but Henrietta Knight’s lightly-raced gelding looked a vastly-improved performer on that occasion.
As such, it would not be a great surprise if this one proved up to the job in the Ladbrokes Handicap Chase.
John Forbes showed enough last time out at Carlisle to suggest he is well capable of picking up a race such as the Sendrig Construction Beginners’ Chase at Sedgefield.
Brian Ellison’s five-year-old has won three times on the Flat and twice over hurdles and looks a surefire winner over the bigger obstacles.
Fourth behind the very useful Cedrus Libani last time, there is nothing of that calibre in this.
Rickety Bridge is fancied to successfully defend a perfect Wolverhampton record when he tackles the Go Pontin’s Handicap.
Trained by Pat Chamings, the lightly-raced four-year-old has failed to cut much ice away from Dunstall Park – but trend followers will know he is two from two at this course.
The gelding’s clear preference for the Wolverhampton all-weather means he rates a cracking punting proposition to land the hat-trick.
Rickety Bridge confirmed his well-being with a most convincing success over the trip last time and it would be surprising if a 5lb rise nails him.
King Kenny will be making only his second racecourse appearance in the EBF-sponsored Novice Stakes, but Danny Murphy’s juvenile is well worth a little punt.
In what promises to be an intriguing contest, this Lomitas colt could be the joker in the pack if adapting to the sand.
Making his debut in what looked a typically hot backend Doncaster maiden on the turf, the youngster caught the eye in taking fourth despite running green.
Some of the powerhouse yards were represented in the race, which suggests King Kenny is likely to have acquitted himself with great credit in finishing just over two lengths behind the winner.
