Daily selections Finished only 8th. Backed down to 7/1 but strange drift on exchange just before the off, drifted from 8.2 to around 15-16 from going into the stalls to the off. That’s not an excuse for disappointing run, just an observation.
LSP: -18.97 (win), -12.23 (place)
3:22 Kelso - KAUTO RIKO hasn’t won since December 2018 when winning a handicap chase off 137 at Haydock on heavy going, but he has had only 4 runs since then. Disappointing at Kempton last time but had run a blinder the time before when a close 2nd @ 100/1 in Peterborough Chase. Stepping up to this trip for first time, but I think he could improve for it, and return of Brian Hughes, who has been on board for selection’s last 4 wins (4 wins from 7 times he has ridden), is a positive too. Only the poor run last time is a negative. Top rated horses have a poor record in this race, only 2 wins from 11, 5 of the beaten top rated horses went off at odds on, that’s not to say the favourite can’t win today. But with the top 2 carrying penalties means that my selection is only 3 lbs behind the favourite and 1 lb ahead of the Nicholls’ horse, so should have every chance.
Selection - Kauto Riko @ 4/1
Good luck.