Kempton Preview: Course specialist Govan can rule again

I’m Fraam Govan has a tremendous record at Kempton and can further enhance it with victory in the 1m 3f handicap there today (5.40).

The George Baker trained gelding is unbeaten in three starts over course and distance, and in the last of those overcame trouble in running before staying on strongly to beat Castilo Del Diablo by a length in a class 2 contest off a mark of 87.

The six-year-old has had just four runs this season, and ran a stormer on the second occasion when a length third of 15 to Queensberry Rules in a competitive class 2 affair on the turf at York off a mark of 93.

The son of Fraam was then far fron disgraced at Doncaster when fourth to the well-regarded Mount Logan in a simialr grade affair off 95, before finding the step up in trip to 1m 6f and a first try on the Tapeta surface at Wolverhampton totally unsuitable last time out.

I’m Fraam Govan has since been dropped a further 2lb by the assessor to a mark of 92, and that gives him a big chance from a handicapping perspective in this class 3 contest.

The drop back down in trip and return to this venue are also major pluses, and with Pat Cosgrave in the saddle everything points to a big run.

Grey Mirage is another who runs the track particualarly well and looks the answer to the 7f handicap (6.10).

The Marco Botti trained gelding has three wins to his name at the Sunbury-On-Thames venue, and two of those have come over today’s trip.

In the last of those the five-year-old showed a smart turn of foot to beat George Guru by 3/4 of a length off a mark of 100 and is now running off just 3lb higher.

Connections have also booked the services of Kieren Shoemark to do the stearing, and taking his 7lb claim into account Grey Mirage is effectivelly 3lb below his last winning mark.

The son of Oasis Dream should also strip much fitter for a recent run on the turf at Ascot after a 169 day break, and the return to this surface is likely to see Grey Mirage in a much better light.

In the 1m handicap (6.30), Unforgiving Minute is very difficult to oppose after an impressive victory over course and distance last month.

The three-year-old stormed clear to beat Never To Be by 3 1/4 lengths, and it was a performance which suggested the son of Cape Cross needed keeping firmly onside.

Although now 8lb higher in the weights, the Clive Cox trained colt remains open to stacks more improvement after just four starts and potentially still well ahead of the handicapper.

Selections:
4.10: Trojan Rocket
4.40: Rialto Magic
5.10: Lyfka
5.40: I’m Fraam Govan (NAP)
6.10: Grey Mirage (NB)
6.40: Unforgiving Minute
7.10: Russian Ice
7.40: Carrera