Twinlight to strike for Mullins and Walsh at Kempton

Kempton’s Saturday card is littered with Cheltenham festival hopefuls and Twinlight is certainly among the most promising of them. The seven-year-old chaser took his field apart at Cork over two miles last month and was eased between the last two fences.

He still had six lengths to spare over the runner-up and that was a seriously good display in Grade 2 company. The son of Muhtathir has learned to settle much better in his races this season and Ruby Walsh will be content to bide his time over this two and a half mile trip.

Captain Chris sets the standard having been runner-up in the King George last season and the winner of the Arkle Trophy back in 2011. He has had his training problems since but ran well at Huntingdon on his return to action in December and acts well around Kempton.

Champion Court took his chance in the King George but fell at the fifth. He is better over this kind of trip and finished upsides Captain Chris in the Huntingdon race won by Riverside Theatre.

The Liquidator should enhance his Cheltenham prospects in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle providing the track does not prove too sharp. Barry Geraghty has chosen to ride Josses Hill in preference to Royal Boy of the Henderson pair whilst Mullins and Walsh team up with Upazo.

The Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle looks extremely competitive with seven last-time-out winners in a 13-runner field. Saphir Du Rheu and Junction Fourteen have been raised over a stone for their latest victories and the Paul Nicholls runner just given the nod.

Goodwood Mirage is an interesting runner in the opening novice event having been useful on the flat. He is now in the care of Jonjo O’Neill and is currently a 33-1 shot for the Triumph Hurdle in March.

Deep Trouble won at Sandown last time despite a last flight blunder which almost unshipped Leighton Aspell. The jockey is in action at Warwick so Daryl Jacob takes over the reins in the closing handicap hurdle.

Selections: 11.55 Goodwood Mirage, 12.25 Toby Lerone, 1.00 Minella On Line, 1.35 The Liquidator, 2.10 Twinlight, 2.40 Saphir Du Rheu, 3.15 Nadiya De La Vega, 3.50 Deep Trouble