Brighton and Kempton previews: Paling can collect for Charlton

In the 6f handicap (15.15), Upavon is going to be very hard to beat judged on his impressive success at Newmarket three days ago.

The gelding, who has mainly been campaigned on the all-weather, took advantage of a much lower turf mark when coming from off the pace to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths at headquarters.

That was just Upavon’s fourth start since joining shrewd trainer Stuart Williams, and the six-year-old escapes a penalty and is able to race off an unchanged rating of 67 as it was an apprentice handicap.

It makes Upavon look thrown-in at the weights, especially given that he has won off 23lb higher on the all-weather.

This is also not the strongest of class 4 contests, and the booking of jockey Pat Cosgrave to do the steering is another positive as he has a strike rate of 22 per cent when teaming up with the yard.

Brighton selections

14.10: Entertaining Ben
14.40: Mister Sunshine
15.15: Upavon (NB)
15.45: Paling (NAP)
16.20: Owners Day
16.55: Ettie Hart
17.30: Dheyaa

Vivas set for first victory at Kempton

Vivas ran a blinder when runner-up and can go one better to open his account in the 2m 5f handicap hurdle on today’s card at Kempton (15.35).

The Charlie Longsdon trained gelding shaped with plenty of promise when fourth in his first two starts over the obstacles, and ran as if ahead of his mark on handicap debut when chasing home Zanstra in a competitive 13-runner affair at Warwick.

Vivas looked the likely winner when ridden two lengths clear two from home, but then went left at the last before getting collared on the run-in to be beaten just 1 3/4 lengths.

The five-year-old stuck to the task well, and the Zanstra is an improving sort who has now won three of his last five starts.

That gives the form a solid look, and although up 3lb to a mark of 113 that should not be beyond Vivas given his lightly-raced and progressive profile.

The yard is also in decent nick and boasts a healthy strike rate of just under 21.5 per cent at the track in the past 12 months.

Mr Lando weighted to strike

In the 2m handicap hurdle that closes proceedings (16.40), Mr Lando can cash-in on a drop in the weights to get back to winning ways.

The Alison Batchelor trained seven-year-old was last successful over course and distance 12 months ago when making all to score easily by 10 lengths off a mark of 110.

Mr Lando backed that up with a solid second and Ludlow off 117, but his form tailed off after being put up to 120.

The gelding is now able to race in this off just 105, 5lb lower than when last victorious, and comes into the contest after a couple of much improved efforts.

After finishing a 1 3/4 length third of 14 to Brotherly Company over course and distance, Mr Lando ran really well when attempting to make all and finishing a 2 3/4 length runner-up at Plumpton.

If taking another step forward, Mr Lando is going to be a tough nut to crack at a track which clearly suits.

Kempton selections

14.00: Cultivator
14.30: Maid Of Milan
15.00: Valseur Du Granval
15.35: Vivas (NAP)
16.05: Kayfton Pete
16.40: Mr Lando (NB)

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