Kempton preview: Exalted can power to success

David Metcalf | January 6, 2016

Exalted showed improved form when scoring last time out and can make light of a rise in the weights to follow-up in the 1m handicap on today’s twilight card at Kempton (17.10).

The William Knight trained gelding hinted at ability on three maiden runs in the summer without being knocked about, and shaped really well on handicap debut over course and distance on return to action in November when when fifth of 14 to Equleus.

Exalted showed plenty of pace to lead from a wide draw in stall 12, and only faded approaching the final furlong to be beaten three lengths.

It was a fine effort given that the four-year-old had to use up plenty of energy early doors to get to the front, and Exalted duly built on that effort to open his account in an apprentice “hands and heels” contest over course and distance last month.

Punters may feel Exalted

The son of Acclamation again showed plenty of early dash to take up the running after three furlongs and looked set for a comfortable success when drawing clear two from home.

However, Exalted then began to idle inside the final furlong and in the end managed to cling on by just a neck from the fast finishing Bennelong.

To me, Exalted scored with more in hand than the winning margin suggests and would have found more if her young rider Paddy Bradley had been able to use the whip, and a 2lb rise for that success looks on the lenient side.

Exalted is clearly on an upward curve and going the right way so with Joe Fanning now taking over in the saddle, is going to be a tough nut to crack