Turf Talk: Strong stayer Sandro Botticelli is the obvious choice at Kempton

Sandro Botticelli may not be the most original choice in the 32Red Conditions Stakes at Kempton, but sometimes it does not pay to look beyond the obvious.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Feb 2017, 13:30 BST
Remember The Man trainer Ralph Beckett.Remember The Man trainer Ralph Beckett.
Remember The Man trainer Ralph Beckett.

The five-year-old warmed up for this event with a fair effort at Wolverhampton last month, finishing a seven-and-a-quarter-length fourth to resurgent Northumberland Plate winner Antiquarium.

While beaten a fair distance, Sandro Botticelli was conceding 3lb to each of the first three home and given it was his first outing in two months, it would be fair to expect the son of Galileo to come on a bit for the run.

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One must also factor in the steady pace that day, which really would not have been ideal for this strong stayer on what was just his second all-weather outing.

Taking all that into account, Sandro Botticelli becomes an easy choice for this fast-track qualifier for finals day on Good Friday, particularly as he is also favoured by the conditions of the race.

Steelriver is not as a simple a choice in the 32Red.com Handicap as he has not won since October 2014, but he has been batting away admirably in the interim and his time must surely be approaching.

Placed on his last two outings, Steelriver remains on a workable mark and would not have to be anything special to prevail in this six-furlong heat.

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Remember The Man has been knocking on the door since switching to Britain from France and Lingfield’s Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Handicap looks a gilt-edged opportunity to finally get his head in front.

Beaten nine and a half lengths on his debut for Ralph Beckett at the beginning of January, he stepped up on that when dropped back in trip to be beaten just a neck.

He again got caught for toe when it mattered, so another crack a lengthier distance is a logical option.

TURF TALK TIPS

DONCASTER: 2.10 Chti Balko, 2.45 Soldier In Action, 3.15 Wings Attract, 3.45 Ericht (next best), 4.20 Mendip Express, 4.55 Black Op.

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KEMPTON: 5.45 Fossa, 6.15 Sun Or Shade, 6.45 Askari, 7.15 Steelriver, 7.45 SANDRO BOTTICELLI (NAP), 8.15 Le Tissier.

LINGFIELD: 2.20 Raise The Game, 2.55 Remember The Man, 3.25 Wedding Breakfast, 3.55 Mitigate, 4.30 Moneyoryourlife, 5.05 Strictly Art.

LUDLOW: 2.00 Alfie’s Choice, 2.35 Mercian King, 3.05 Windshear, 3.35 William Money, 4.10 Dino Velvet, 4.45 Galway Jack, 5.20 Malapie.