Kempton preview: Fly can swat rivals on handicap debut

Fly created a big impression when winning on her debut, and can take advantage of what looks a lenient opening mark to follow-up in the 1m handicap on this evening’s card at Kempton (20.10).

The James Fanshawe trained filly got up close home to beat Napoleon Solo by a neck in a 7f contest at Lingfield, but was value for much more than the winning margin.

After being very slowly away as the gates opened, the three-year-old showed distinct signs of inexperience and quickly became outpaced.

Fly had a mountain to climb approaching the two furlong marker, but the penny then finally dropped and she flew home under a hands and heels ride to win going away.

It was a most taking performance, and one which suggested Fly needed keeping firmly onside.

The assessor looks to have taken a real chance in allotting her an opening handicap mark of just 70, and the daughter of Pastoral Pursuits is certainly bred to be better than that.

Fly is a half-sister to the stable’s classy Group 1 winner Seal Of Approval, and with the step up in trip looking sure to suit can land the spoils before going on to better things.

In the 6f nursery (18.40), Chief Entertainer holds outstanding claims of opening his account.

The Stuart Williams trained colt hinted at ability in three quiet runs in maidens, and particularly caught the on debut when staying on under a hands and heels ride to finish a 4 1/4 length fifth to the now 100-rated to Lathom.

The fourth home Bathos, who finished just 3/4 of a length in front of the Chief Entertainer, has won three times since and is now rated 81 and the sixth and seventh home have also gone on to taste success of ratings of 61 and 72 respectively.