Kempton and Stratford previews: Double chance for in-form Luca

The three-year-old ran a blinder on seasonal reappearance at Newmarket when a staying on 3 1/2 length fourth of 12 to Oh This Is Us in a competitive class 4 contest off a mark of 81.

The winner, to whom the selection was conceding 4lb, has since gone on to score twice since to be rated 100 and the form looks really strong in the context of this contest.

Four On Eight is also now able to race off 2lb lower and comes into the race on the back of a solid neck second in a class 3 affair over 1m 2f at Sandown.

It makes the son of Lawman look on a handy mark now dropped back down into class 4 company and, after just six starts, Four On Eight remains open to plenty of further progress.

Kempton top tips

17.40: Pacharana (NAP)
18.10: Endless Gold
18.40: North Creek
19.10: Ducissa
19.40: Trevisani
20.10: Four On Eight (NB)
20.40: Belle Mare Plage

Lots to like about Lostock Hall at Stratford

Lostock Hall was a massive eye-catcher last time out and looks decent value to open his account over the obstacles in the 2m 2f maiden hurdle on this evening’s card at Stratford (17.20).

The gelding was a fairly useful sort on the level when trained by Karl Burke, and there was lots to like about his first start over hurdles for David Dennis when fourth of 10 to Birch Hill at Market Rasen.

After being held-up off the pace, Lostock Hall made good headway three from home before keeping on at the one pace to be beaten 8 1/2 lengths.

The four-year-old was given a very tender introduction by jockey Noel Fehily and backed that up with a similar effort under another sympathtetic ride when third of 12 to Taper Tantrum at Newton Abbot two weeks ago.

Lostock Hall was again given plenty to do by Fehily, before making steady headway three from home and staying on nicely to be nearest at the finish and beaten 12 lengths.

The son of Lord Shanakill had no chance with the front pair but finished with plenty of petrol left in the tank and it was an effort which suggested Lostock Hall was well up to winning a race of this nature.

No Likey can bounce back at favourite stomping ground

No Likey has a good record at the track and can further enhnace it with victory in the 2m 3f handicap chase (18.50).

The Philip Hobbs trained gelding is a two-time winner over course and distance and was very impressive in the last of those victories three starts back when slamming Turn Over Sivola by 14 lengths off a mark of 123.

No Likey was hit with a 14lb rise for that runaway success and has failed to cut any ice in two subsequent starts at Worcester and Uttoxeter.

However, the last of those runs came in a class two contest and he now returned to class 3 company having been dropped a total of 5lb to a mark of 132.

That should enable the nine-year-old to be really competitive in what doesn’t look the strongest race for the grade, and it would be no surprise to see No Likey bounce back and put in a much improved showing now returned to a venue that clearly brings out the best in him.

Stratford best bets

17.20: Lostock Hall (NAP)
17.50: Mister Dick
18.20: Barman
18.50: No Likey (NB)
19.20: Generous Chief
19.50: Hoponandsee

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