Kempton preview: Exchequer can collect for team Hannon

Exchequer can get back to winning ways in the 7f feature handicap on today’s card at Kempton (16.15) now returned to the polytrack surface.

The Richard Hannon trained gelding has won two of his three starts on it, and the the last of those came over course and distance three starts back.

Exchequer only had to be driven out to score readily by 1 1/4 lengths off a mark of 80, and has since gone on to post two really solid efforts on the turf.

After staying on well to finish a never nearer fourth over an inadequate 6f at Doncaster, the four-year-old ran a blinder to be beaten just 1/2 a length into third behind Kalk Bay over 7f at the same venue off a rating of 86.

Those runs show that Exchequer remains at the top of his game, and although now running off a career-high mark of 87 the son of Exceed And Excel looks the type who may well have more to offer.

To me Exchequer’s profile suggests he could well be a synthetics specialist, and if that is the case he could still be ahead of the assessor.

Another plus is that Exchequer has bagged a good draw in stall four, and with the in-form Pat Dobbs in the saddle he looks the one they all have to beat.

Hawkbill scored in good style last time out and looks weighted to follow up on handicap debut in the 7f nursery (15.45).

The Charlie Appleby trained colt has a progressive profile and came good at the third time of asking when beating Lazzam by a neck in a 7f maiden at Lingfield.

Hawkbill found plenty when strongly challenged inside the final furlong, and the runner-up scored in runaway style next time up.

The third home Midhmaar has also gone on to taste success to give the form a very strong look, and Hawkbill could well have got in lightly of an opening handicap mark of 81.