Kempton Preview: Spice Fair can land hat-trick
Spice Fair is right at the top of his game at present and looks up to completing the hat-trick in the 2m handicap at Kempton this evening (8.20).
The Mark Usher trained gelding got back to winning ways over course and distance last month when being produced late to score by a cosy neck from Opera Buff.
The seven-year-old then readily defied a 4lb rise in the weights to follow-up over 1m 6f at Sandown, travelling strongly throughout in the hands of Ryan Moore before quickening well to beat English Summer by 1 3/4 lengths.
Although now 6lb higher in the weights, Spice Fair was beaten just a neck off his current mark 85 in a class 2 handicap back in 2012, so does not look overly burdened in this class 3 contest given his current form.
Another plus is that the son of Trade Fair is a triple course and distance winner, and with Moore once again in the saddle a huge run looks assured.
In the 6f handicap (6.20), Biotic looks to have leading claims of providing in-form trainer Rod Millman with another winner.
The son of Aqlaam landed a gamble in good style on his handicap debut over course and distance back in March, making all and running on strongly to easily beat Jalebi by two lengths off an opening mark of 55.
The three-year-old then ran well under under a 6lb penalty to finish runner-up to Android over course and distance, and shaped nicely on his comeback run after a break when when third of 14 over 7f at Salisbury off a mark 62 last month.
Biotic is now able to race off 1lb lower, and the drop back to 6f and return to this venue look sure to suit.
The other bet that appeals is Buckland in the 1m 4f handicap (8.50).
The gelding was an ultra-progressive sort on the polytrack surface in the early part of last year when rattling up a four-timer and winning three times at this venue in the process.
The five-year-old was last successful off a mark of 91, and went on to run a remarkable race to finish fourth behind subsequent Gold Cup winner Estimate in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot off an official rating of 94.
Although Buckland’s form has tailed off badly since the latter, the handicapper has been quick to lend a hand and the son of Oratorio is now running off just 90.
That is 1lb lower than when last successful, and gives Buckland a big shout at the weights now returned to his favoured polytrack surface.
Selections:
5.50: Aeolian Blue
6.20: Biotic (NB)
6.50: Saint Lucy
7.20: Fighting Back
7.50: Romance Story
8.20: Spice Fair (NAP)
8.50: Buckland
9.20: Toga Tiger
