Kempton Preview: Authority has a Good chance under Hughes

Kempton stage a marathon eight-race card this evening, and Good Authority looks the answer to the 7f handicap (7.45) now partnered by Richard Hughes for the first time.

The Karen George trained gelding is a course and distance winner who has been given a huge chance by the handicapper.

The seven-year-old registered his last success in a class 4 handicap at Goodwood last June off a mark of 85 and now runs off just 74.

That gives Good Authority outstanding claims at the weights, and the son of Chinuer has also shaped well in two starts this season without troubling the judge in class 3 contests.

Those runs should have put Good Authority spot on to do himself justice, and the drop back in grade to class 4 company looks sure to suit.

In the 2m handicap (7.15), the Derek Shaw trained Arashi is taken to bounce back to form now returned to his favourite stomping ground.

The eight-year-old has registered all three of his career wins on the all-weather at this venue, and two of those have come over this evening’s trip.

The last of those course and distance successes came off a mark of 65 last June, where Arashi came from off the pace and ran on strongly to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths.

The son of Fantastic Light now runs off 4lb lower, and the booking of Tom Queally suggests connections mean business.

St Paul De Vence has caught the eye on both his starts this season, and with blinkers fitted for the first time looks to hold major claims in the mile handicap that closes proceedings (9.15).

Trained by Paul Cole, gelding won his maiden over course and distance in good style back in December 2012, after which he was allotted an opening mark of 80.

The son of Oratorio then had just four starts last year, and failed to trouble the judge.

However, St Paul De Vence has shaped really well in two runs this campaign, especially when fourth of 18 to Chain Of Events over 1m 2f at Newmarket last time out where he held every chance two from home before being unable to quicken.