Rory Delargy

KEMPTON SATURDAY

2:40 32Red LANZAROTE HANDICAP HURDLE (Listed) 2M 5F

Will O’The West disappointed at Cheltenham in November, but he had valid excuses, with heavy rain making the race a slog, and more importantly, he was one of a couple to race around the inner on a day when the outside rail was favoured.

Back in trip and given a break to recover, he remains unexposed as a handicapper, and should get back on the progressive path here. Prior to his flop at the open meeting, he’d looked an unlucky loser at the same course having got to the front easily only to wander into the final flight, causing his rider to lose balance and his reins.

The lightly-raced six-year-old is only a couple of pounds higher than for that eyecatching run, and looks a fair bit too big in the betting if a line is drawn through his most recent effort.

3:15 32Red.com HANDICAP CHASE 3M

Our Kaempfer hasn’t yet gone on from a really promising chase debut, but he’s still relatively low mileage, and promises to be helped by having a strong pace to sit behind. He was unsuited by having to make his own running at Newbury two starts back having been beaten in a match there previously, but should finally get a race played to his strengths, and is worth one more chance as a result.

Charlie Longsdon’s charge has always appealed as the type to need time, and he has been expected to outstrip his hurdles form in his new sphere. It’s been a learning curve so far over fences, but he has the talent to be a force in top handicaps from his current mark, and was an impressive winner over hurdles here, so can also be expected to show himself to good effect at the track.

3:45 32Red.com HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Meet The Legend was sent off at a single-figure price for a prestigious handicap at Ascot last month and, while he couldn’t get competitive there, he will find this much easier. In fairness to Dan Skelton’s gelding, he was returning from an absence and met trouble in running at Ascot, so it shouldn’t pay to criticise that effort, and this well-bred sort (from the immediate family of Racing Post Chase winner Young Spartacus) has his best days ahead of him.

A tendency to take a grip has held him back to some degree, but the fact that his shrewd handler pitched him against Altior on his hurdles debut gives an idea of the esteem in which he’s held, and it will be a major disappointment if he doesn’t prove better than this grade in the fullness of time.

When he learns to settle, he should stay a fair bit further than two miles, but this looks his trip at present, and he’s preferred to the progressive River Frost and New Member.

WARWICK SATURDAY

2:25 PERTEMPS NETWORK

HANDICAP HURDLE 3M 2F

Kilgeel Hill is the pick in a competitive race, and looks just the type his new trainer will do well with. Formerly with Oliver Sherwood, he was last seen plugging on into a highly respectable place behind As De Mee in the EBF Final at Sandown in March 2015, and he shaped like a thorough stayer there.

Prior to that he won a novice hurdle at Fontwell after which his rider stated that he was unable to lie up before sweeping round the outside to win like a good prospect. He has been dropped a couple of pounds by the handicapper, steps up to a trip which should bring about improvement, and debutantes for the yard rarely lack fitness.

He could do with winning this in order to make the cut for the final of the series, so it’s unlikely that anything will be left to chance, and he appeals as one of the best bets of the weekend despite the competitive look of the race.

At a bigger price, Masters Hill is capable of going well, but the eleven-year-old grey is still seeking his first handicap win, which rather tells a story.

3:00 NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NOVICES’ HURDLE (Grade 2) 2M 5F

Get On The Yager may not have the most beautiful name, but has looked an excellent prospect in two starts under rules, and this winning pointer can improve enough to beat the admirable Peregrine Run and give Dan Skelton a second winner of this event in the last three years.

He holds a verdict over Willoughby Court, and was facing no easy task against Spirit of Kayf at Newcastle, where his tactics rather played into his opponent’s hands. Warwick is an inviting track for a sound-jumping front runner, certainly more so than Newcastle, and he can lead his rivals a merry dance if allowed to stride on again.

3:35 BETFRED CLASSIC HANDICAP CHASE (Grade 3) 3M 5F 54Y

Not many of these could be said to have their best days ahead of them, but that does look the case for One For Arthur, who fulfilled earlier promise when a facile winner at Kelso on his return, and improved again when staying on from a poor position in the Becher Chase at Aintree last month. Connections have decided to bypass the Welsh National for this, and the extra recovery time is a bonus.

Described by Lucinda Russell as the best handicapped horse in her yard in the autumn, he still looks a step or two ahead of the assessor, and clearly stays very well, so must go close in a race which stacks up nicely for him. He appeals longterm as a Scottish National horse, and that might be his target assuming he passes this test first.

RECOMMENDED

WILL O’THE WEST 2.45 Kempton - 1pt e/w @ 16/1 (general)

KILGEEL HILL 2.25 Warwick - 2pts win @ 12/1 (Hills)

ONE FOR ARTHUR 3.35 Warwick - 2pts win @ 10/1 (general)