KEMPTON

FEW seasoned observers can believe Ascot and Kempton race on the same afternoon but that is the way of it.

James Tate’s Invincible Army has been busy against some of the top juveniles, finishing runner-up in the Molecomb and the Gimcrack. He gained a thoroughly deserved success in Kempton’s Group 3 Sirenia Stakes over seven furlongs, reeling in Corinthia Knight and justifying 11/8 favouritism in the process. The Polytrack surface proved no problem at all.

It was a first group success for Tate, who will consider the Middle Park and a possible trip to the Breeders’ Cup.

MURPHY DOUBLE

Oisin Murphy is riding with considerable confidence and the winners are flowing at present.

He soon completed a double on this card, getting Ralph Beckett’s Chemical Charge up in the dying strides to beat much-improved ex-handicapper Scarlet Dragon by a head in the Group 3 toteplacepot September Stakes and following up on Ed Dunlop’s Fabulous in the seven-furlong nursery.

Chemical Charge (13/8 favourite) is in great heart and Beckett may well find another suitable race abroad at this sort of level.

The valuable totequadpot London Mile Handicap went to Kevin Ryan’s 9/1 chance Brilliant Vanguard, ridden by Kevin Stott. Amanda Perrett’s The Warrior needs to bob and weave to stay interested, and managed it to great effect, but still had half a length to find at the line.