Kempton preview: Windy Citi can storm to success

Windy Citi has an excellent record at Kempton and can further enhance it with victory in the 1m handicap that open’s proceedings on this evening’s card at the Sunbury-on-Thames venue (18.40).

The Chris Wall trained filly has won two of her three starts over course and distance, running well to be placed on the other occasion.

Windi Citi was particularly impressive when opening her account at the track, sauntering clear from the two marker to win easing down by five lengths off a mark of 60.

The daughter of Zamindar then readily defied a 6lb penalty when turned out quickly and scoring by 3/4 of a length, and was far from disgraced off her current mark of 75 when third to Matravers on her final start last season.

It may well have been that Windi Citi found the latter coming too quickly, and she was subsequently given a 234 day break before reappearing at Doncaster last month.

Although the four-year-old could finish just sixth of seven at town Moor, she ran as if badly in need of the outing and was considerately handled after getting outpaced two from home.

Windi City looks sure to strip much fitter for the outing, and the return to the polytrack surface is a big plus.

This also looks a weak class 5 contest, and Windy Citi remains relatively unexposed and open to further progress for a yard that has a near 25 per cent strike rate with it’s runners at the venue in the past 12 months.

Albonny is another with a good record at the track and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land the 2m handicap (21.10).

The Timothy Jarvis trained gelding is a three-time course and distance winner, and in the last of those successes 10 months ago ran on strongly to easily beat Dumbfounded by 2 1/4 lengths off a mark of 67.

The six-year-old backed that up with a solid third at Haydock off 71, but has subsequently failed to trouble the judged in six starts.

However, Albonny’s mark has fallen as a result and he is now able to race in this off just 65 – 2lb lower than when last successful.

It gives the son of Aussie Rules every chance at the weights at a track which clearly brings out the best in him, and with Luke Morris in the saddle everything looks in place for a big run.

Selections:

18.40: Windy Citi (NAP)

19.10: Tuco

19.40: Atlantis Crossing

20.10: Dannyday

20.40: Run With Pride

21.10: Albonny