1:10 Kempton – Global Famenglory
Dan Skelton has his team in fine form, operating at a 24% strike rate in the last 14-days and he could add to that success in the opener on Friday when GLOBAL FAMENGLORY makes her handicap debut. She had 2 quick runs in Novice hurdles in November, finishing 2nd to the now 129 rated Theatre Glory at Huntingdon, before chasing home Brief Times at Doncaster, a horse who was completing a 3 timer and is also rated 129. Although she was beaten by 3-lengths, she was clear of the rest of the field by a distance and the handicapper looks to have given her a huge opportunity on an opening mark of 106. Lime drop could prove hard to beat as she seeks to complete her own 5-timer, but it is hard to ignore how well treated Dan Skelton’s mare is, especially as she has shown her liking for a flat speed track with 2 solid efforts at Huntingdon.
2:55 Kempton – Fred
When he won a Novice hurdle on Boxing Day 2019, FRED looked like a very exciting prospect. He has clearly had his issues because he has only made 4 starts since, but his comeback in a hot handicap hurdle at Newbury was better than the bare result and he ran like a horse who needed the outing. There are several Chase winners in his pedigree and it is interesting to see that his connections are not only persisting with him but are now sending him over fences. A mark of 134 is no gift, but the small field and the decent ground should both be in his favour, and we know that he will handle the track, which is a question mark for some of his rivals. Nicky Henderson’s team remain in good form, and he is worth chancing in an open race.
