Kempton St Stephen’s Day

12:45 Ladbrokes Novices’

Limited Handicap Chase 2m 4½f

Gavin Sheehan is riding with rare confidence at present and he’s taken to steer the lightly-raced Es Perfecto to victory for Alan King in this novice handicap.

The son of Shirocco was off the track for the best part of two years after winning a novice hurdle at Chepstow in March 2021, but ran creditably on both handicap outings over timber before a switch to chasing at Cheltenham last month.

Es Perfecto jumped well at Cheltenham and, while he had no answer to Ginny’s Destiny from the last fence, he was not at all discredited, and the winner showed improved form when winning a good novice at the track earlier in the month.

The eight-year-old promised plenty for the future, looks likely to be better suited by the flatter track at Kempton, and has been dropped 1lb for that encouraging chase debut, so appears to have plenty in his favour if improving as expected for that first outing since May.

1:20 Ladbrokes Kauto Star

Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 3m

Giovinco looked to have the classy Stay Away Fay in a bit of trouble at Sandown last time before the Albert Bartlett winner found extra up the hill and, given that he was hampered twice by the wayward The Changing Man, I thought that was a most encouraging effort, and the son of Walk In The Park was just beaten by a notably strong stayer at the trip.

This slightly sharper test will suit Lucinda Russell’s charge, and he should take the beating with a repeat.

Hermes Allen made a big impression when winning the John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury and will likely start favourite, but the assumption that he will stay three miles is a dangerous one.

All his form to date is at up to two miles and five and he’s a free-going sort who may not appreciate being ridden with the restraint required for him to stay the longer trip.

He’s respected, but Giovinco is the proven horse at the distance and looks the value at this stage.

1:55 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

I suppose Nicky can find a reason not to run him, but I’m struggling to think of one off-hand, so the Christmas Hurdle should be a stroll in the park for Constitution Hill.

The other runners are effectively hoping the hot favourite swerves the race as he did the Fighting Fifth at the 11th hour, although the place money is fairly appealing with all six runners guaranteed a pay cheque.

2:30 Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) 3m

It’s not easy unpicking the King George despite the small field and none of the runners arrive in top form, for all Allaho won a weak Clonmel Oil Chase on his latest start.

He didn’t need to be at his peak for that win, and I’m not convinced he’s as good as he was when winning the Ryanair in 2022. He does stay three miles, but has shown his very best form at shorter, and the myth that the Kempton contest suits two-milers has been well and truly busted over the years.

Bravemansgame has solid claims on last year’s excellent performance but he’s been beaten by lesser rivals twice already this season, and it may be that the Gold Cup effort has left a mark on him.

Hewick also has questions to answer, but he was a revelation last season and was still in contention when taking a late fall in the Gold Cup.

He was below form when last seen in the Galway Plate but the booking of Gavin Sheehan takes the eye here, and he’s worth chancing at double-figure odds in a race which could easily fall apart.

1:05 William Hill Formby Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m½f

July Flower was disappointing in the Nickel Coin bumper here last term, but that was not her running and, having rejoined Mickael Seror, she has quickly taken her form to a smart level over hurdles and is the pick of the weights based on her two and a half lengths second of nine to Losange Bleu in the Group 1 Prix Renaud du Vivier at Auteuil last time.

Felix de Giles, on board for her success at Auteuil in October and again for the big race last time, keeps the ride, and the hood she wore when successful is retained here. With soft ground suiting her ideally (that one poor effort came on much quicker ground), she ought to be hard to beat.

1:35 William Hill Rowland

Meyrick Handicap Chase 3m

Venetia Williams has the remarkable record of 25 wins from 72 runners over fences since the end of October, with a profit of £590.10 to a tenner at SP for all those intrepid punters backing all such runners blind.

That record might have been even better had Fontaine Collonges not unseated Ned Fox at the very first fence in the London National at Sandown last time, and the 10-year-old can make amends in a Rowland Meyrick which looks there to be plundered.

Fontaine Collonges won on her return to action over an extended three miles and a furlong at Haydock last season, and her fitness is guaranteed despite exiting early last time.

She is only 1lb higher than when beating The Big Breakaway (runner-up in the Welsh National next time) and Rapper (winner of his next start at Cheltenham). Although she lost her form later in the season, this is the time of year to keep the Williams chasers on side, and the extra 3lb claimed off her back by the reliable Shane Quinlan can only help.

An extra furlong wouldn’t go amiss, but everything looks in place for a big run from the eight-year-old.