Kempton Preview: Rocket Rob ready for take-off

Rocket Rob has fallen to a dangerous mark and can take advantage to score an overdue success in the 6f handicap at Kempton today (5.50).

The Willie Musson trained gelding is a three-time winner on the polytack surface, and one of those successes came over course and distance.

The eight-year-old was last victorious on the turf at Sandown back in August 2013 when coming with his customary late surge to beat The Strig going away by two lengths off a mark of 75.

Rocket Rob went on to finish a solid fifth out of 15 to Pearl Ice in a class 3 contest at Doncaster off 81 and now gets into this class 5 affair off just 69.

That is 6lb lower than when last successful and gives the son of Danetime major claims from a handicapping perspective.

Rocket Rob had also ran very well to finish in the frame at Sandown and Nottingham prior to disappointing last time out over 5f at Lingfield, and the step back up to 6f looks sure to suit.

Another plus is that this race should be run at a strong gallop which Rocket Rob needs to be seen to best effect, and granted luck in-running he looks sure to take all the beating in the hands of Chris Catlin.

Time Square has an excellent record at the track and can further enhance it with victory in the 1m 2f handicap that opens proceedings (2.20).

The gelding is a four-time winner at the venue, with the last of those successes coming back in April where he kept on strongly to score by 1 1/2 lengths off a mark of 58.

Time Square now gets into this off the same mark having shaped as if coming back to form when a close-up fifth of 16 to Salient at Lingfield, and that gives the son of Westerner a huge shout at the weights now returned to his favourite stomping ground.

Another plus is that Time Square’s trainer Tony Carroll is in good form at present, and the booking of jockey Jim Crowley to do the steering suggests that connections mean business.

Sebs Sensei runs off a career-low mark in the 1m handicap (4.50) and that may enable him to final open his account.