Turf Talk: Kempton to stage fascinating renewal as racing steps up a significant notch

More than one smart prospect lines up for the 10-furlong Group Three, with preference just about for the John Gosden-trained Hypothetical, with Frankie Dettori doing the steering. The Lope De Vega colt was not seen until December, for a novice event over a mile at Chelmsford, and created a really nice impression. A little slowly away, Robert Havlin was content to bide his time, but once woken up approaching couple of furlongs out, his partner quickly got the hang of things and came readily clear of a subsequent winner.

How far he will stay is open to debate, but this 10 furlongs certainly looks within his compass - and while Born With Pride and Max Vega will make sure the selection does not have it all his own way, the fact he is proven on an artificial surface is a major plus.

Gosden and Dettori can get one on the board in the preceding race, courtesy of Sun Bear in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day “Confined” Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

The daughter of Dubawi did more than enough in her narrow defeat to a stablemate at Nottingham in November to suggest she will be winning races, possibly at a decent level.

Billesdon Brook is the class act on show in the Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes.

Richard Hannon’s charge was a surprise winner of the 1000 Guineas two years ago and proved her worth once again last year, landing another Group One in the shape of Sun Chariot Stakes.

She actually broke her maiden at Kempton, while victory in a Listed contest at Chelmsford kick-started her four-year-old year, so it is good to know she is another with Polytrack form in the bag. This should serve as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

Enemy looks to be the exciting one at Yarmouth, where he goes in the first division of the #betyourway At Betway Novice Stakes.

Yet another highly promising type for the Gosden yard, his narrow margin of victory on his sole start at Ascot in September does not tell the full story of his ability.

Going to his right immediately on leaving the stalls, he was given time to find his feet by Oisin Murphy and travelled powerfully before being switched for his run.

He went about his business in a professional manner when asked, quickly making up a couple of lengths on the leaders and always holding Law Of Peace, who had the benefit of prior experience. It will be disappointing if his name does not feature in some good races this season.

A hot-looking Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap starts the day at the seaside track and the vote goes to Group One Power, who has done nothing wrong in his two starts to date. It is perfectly conceivable he is a good bit better than his mark of 80.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

KEMPTON: 1.00 Never Dark, 1.35 Griggy, 2.10 Sun Bear, 2.45 HYPOTHETICAL (NAP), 3.20 Carnival Rose, 3.55 Billesdon Brook, 4.30 Purgatory, 5.05 Al Daiha, 5.40 Fly The Nest.

YARMOUTH: 12.45 Group One Power, 1.20 Dubious Affair, 1.55 Ocean Star, 2.30 Dutch Story, 3.05 Enemy (next best), 3.40 Higher Kingdom, 4.15 Maydanny, 4.50 Pretty Pickle, 5.25 Ikebana, 6.00 Narak.