Kempton Preview: Malory Towers appeals on handicap debut

Kempton stage a competitive card this evening, and Malory Towers looks weighted to take the beating on handicap debut in the 1m 4f contest (7.50).

Trained by James Fanshawe, this filly has failed to trouble the judge in three maiden runs, but they have all come in decent contests and she looks a potential improver now going handicapping.

This daughter of Giant’s Causeway led until halfway on debut at Newmarket before weakening to finish 12th of 14 behind subsequent Oaks winner Taghrooda, and then eighth of 15 to Investec Derby fourth Arod at Yarmouth.

Malory Towers then shaped better than her final position suggested when sixth of 10 to Criteria over course and distance last time out, and the fifth home Vent de Force has gone on to win handicap off a mark of 72, and is now rated 81.

That makes Malory Towers looks potentially well-treated off an opening mark of 65, at a venue where his handler has a 20 per cent strike rate with runners in the past 12 months.

Double Up is a very short-priced favourite in the 6f handicap (6.50) and looks worth taking on with Bold Spirit.

The gelding, who is owned by the Queen, has run two solid races to finish in the frame this season and makes his handicap debut off what looks a workable mark of 73.

Trained by Richard Hannon, this son of Invincible Spirit finished a good third to Lightning Moon on his penultimate start at Salisbury, and the form has been franked in no uncertain manner.

The winner is a highly promising sort who has gone on to bolt up by six lengths in a handicap at Haydock and is now rated 98, while the runner-up Spring Fling scored in good style at Windsor next time up off 75.

Bold Spirit then came up an exciting prospect when runner-up to Polybius at Windsor nine days ago, and looks weighted to go well if building on those two efforts.

Newmarket trainer David Lanigan has a healthy strike rate with his runners at the track, and Bold Lass holds leading claims of providing him with another winner in the 7f handicap.