Kempton and Warwck previews: Dunraven can Storm to success
David Metcalf | May 2, 2016
Storm weighted to strike at Kempton
Dunraven Storm can take advantage of a drop in class to get back to winning ways in the 2m 2f handicap chase on today’s Bank Holiday card at Kempton (17:35).
The Philip Hobbs gelding was in good form in the early part of last season, scoring first time up at Exeter, before following up with a 1 3/4 length victory over Vibrato Valtat in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham off an official rating of 145.
Dunraven Storm went on two run a couple of solid races in a mixed bag of form, including when third to Claret Cloak at this venue mark of 148.
The 11-year-old also ran a blinder on his second start this season when third of 12 to Boondooma in a competitive contest at Cheltenham, and went down fighting by 2 1/4 lengths to subsequent Grade 1 winner Kylemore Lough at Exeter two starts back when attempting to give that in-form rival 7lb.
That is very strong form in the context of this class 2 handicap, and Dunraven Storm comes into it having shaped better than the bare result suggests when 13th of 24 in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival on his first start back after a break.
This is far easier and, off a reduced mark of 145, Dunraven Storm looks weighted to take all the beating on the pick of his form.
Days Of Heaven can make winning chase debut
Trainer Nicky Henderson has a terrific strike rate of 28.57 per cent at Kempton in the past 12 months, and Days Of Heaven can further enhance it with victory in the 2m 4f novices’ chase (14:45).
The six-year-old has always been held in high regard, and was a very smart novice hurdler in 2014/15 when winning three times.
In the last of those successes, Days Of Heaven landed the Grade 2 Dovecote Hurdle at this venue in impressive fashion.
That victory earned the son of Saint Des Saints an official rating of 145 and, although not at his best in his last three starts, Days Of Heaven looks potentially a cut-above his rivals, if the switch to chasing sparks him back to life.
Kempton Selections
14.10: Debece
14.45: Days Of Heaven (NB)
15.20: Boy In A Bentley
15.55: Garrahalish
16.25: Mccabe Creek
17.00: Christmas Twenty
17.35: Dunraven Storm (NAP)
18.05: Brotherly Company
Dispour a handicap blot at Warwick
Dispour can cash-in on a drop in the weights to make a winning debut for trainer Dan Skelton in the 2m handicap hurdle on today’s card at Warwick (15:10).
This gelding had some smart form to his name when in the care of Donald McCain, with his last success coming in a competitive class 2 handicap at Sandown off a mark of 131.
Dispour then lost his way and failed to trouble the judged in seven subsequent outings, but that has resulted in the handicapper cutting the six-year-old plenty of slack.
The son of Monsun is now able to race in this class 4 affair of a rating of just 115, a massive 16lb lower than when last victorious.
It makes Disapour potentially thrown-in at the weights, if the switch of stables has the desired effect, and Skelton has a good record with similar types.
Master Of The Game an appealing punt
In the 2m 4f handicap chase (14:35), Master Of The Game looks decent value to land the spoils.
The 10-year-old was allotted an opening handicap mark of 137 after showing a good attitude to make a winning chase debut at Kelso back in May 2014, and also ran well on his penultimate outing when third at Stratford off 123.
Master Of The Game is now able to race off a career-low rating of just 117, and was entitled to need the run last time out after a lay-off when finishing in midfield at over 2m 1f at Chepstow.
That outing should have blown away the cobwebs and put the gelding spot on for this, and with trip and ground ideal Master Of The Game looks weighted to run a huge race.
Warwick selections
12.30: Beggars Cross
13.00: Dusky Legend
13.30: Herons Heir
14.00: Top Priority
14.35: Master Of The Game (NB)
15.10: Dispour (NAP)
15.45: Brinestine
14.20: Tullow Tonic
Related
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