Kempton Preview: Caesar can reign supreme on handicap debut

John Caesar is a fascinating contender on handicap debut in the 1m contest at Kempton this evening (6.05) and can exploit what looks a potentially lenient opening mark to make it a winning one.

The Jeremy Noseda trained colt has only had three starts, and caught the eye in the last of those over course and distance when sixth of 13 to Holiday Magic.

After being steadied and being held-up at the rear, John Caesar made good headway into midfield three from home before keeping on well to be beaten 3 1/4 lengths.

The son of Bushranger, who cost 220,000 guineas as a yearling, was given the kid glove treatment by James Doyle and finished with plenty of petrol in the tank.

It was an effort which suggested the three-year-old would be more than capable of making his mark in handicaps, and given his lofty price tag John Caesar is certainly bred to be better than his opening mark of 67.

Connections are also now fitting John Caesar with cheekpieces for the first time, and with Ryan Moore taking over the in the saddle this weak class 5 contest looks a great opportunity for him to get off the mark.

Biotic has a good record at the track and can take advantage of a drop in grade to further enhance it in the 1m handicap (6.35).

The Rod Millman trained gelding opened his account in a 6f handicap at the venue, and has gone on to finish runner-up over the same trip in two subsequent visits.

The three-year-old now tries a mile for just the second time, and was far from disgraced over it two starts back when fourth in a class 3 contest at Sandown.

Prior to that Biotic has stayed on well to land a 7f contest and the Esher venue off a mark of 63, and now gets into this class 5 contest of just 4lb higher.

In the 7f handicap (7.05), Scent Of Power can build on a promising run last time out over course and distance to land the spoils.

The Anthony Carson trained filly stayed on from miles off the pace to to be beaten just a length into third behind Gavarnie Encore, leaving the distinct impression she would have gone very close if ridden more positively.