Kempton preview: Course specialist Time Square weighted to strike
Published:
David Metcalf | December 15, 2015
Time Square has an excellent record at Kempton and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to further enhance it with victory in the 1m 4f handicap on today’s card at the Sunbury-on-Thames venue (15.40).
The Tony Carroll trained gelding is a five-time winner at the track, with the last of those successes coming 12 months ago over 1m 2f where he beat Understory by a neck off a mark of 58.
Time Square got put up to 63 for that victory and has failed to trouble the judged in five subsequent outings.
However, that has resulted in a drop in the weights and Time Square is now able to race off a reduced rating of just 54.
That is 4lb lower than when last successful, and the lowest rating the eight-year-old has run off since May 2013.
It gives Time Square major claims from a handicapping perspective, and the son of Westerner comes into the contest on the back of an eye-catching run when fading late on to finish a finish a 5 1/2 length seventh of 12 to The Gay Cavalier at the track having travelled strongly for much of the race.
Judged on that effort Time Square is returning to form, and from a good draw in stall four this looks a great chance for him to get back to winning ways.
Punters can feel Exalted
In the 1m handicap that closes proceedings (17.40), Exalted can build on a promising run last time out to open her account.
The William Knight trained filly hinted at ability on three maiden runs in the summer without being knocked about, and shaped really well on handicap debut over course and distance on return to action last month when when fifth of 14 to Equleus.
Exalted showed plenty of pace to lead from a wide draw in stall 12, and only faded approaching the final furlong to be beaten three lengths.
It was a fine effort given that the four-year-old had to use up plenty of energy early doors to get to the front, and Exalted finished just a short-head behind Spirit Of Gondree who has come out and won since to give the form a boost.
The assessor has also been kind in dropping Exalted 1lb to a mark of 54, and that makes the unexposed daughter look potentially well-treated in what isn’t the strongest of class 6 contests.
Selections
14.10: Tommys Geal
14.40: Red Stripes
15.10: Song Of Paradise
15.40: Time Square (NAP)
16.10: Laugh Aloud
16.40: Stars At Night
17.10: Trespassed
17.40: Exalted (NB)
Related
Coral’s horse racing section is well worth keeping an eye on over the Christmas and New Year period with so much top-quality action.
