Sam King landed two winners yesterday and is back with two selections on Wednesday…
Connections decision to step Force And Valour back up to seven furlongs at Kempton this evening (7.22) looks like a positive move.
Whilst clearly a horse with considerable ability and versatility having won over five and six as a two-year-old, it was no surprise to see Force And Valour entered over seven after being outpaced throughout on his return to England at Chester earlier in the month.
Ridden to come home from off the pace that day, I'm expecting Callum Shepherd to be more positive on the recently gelded son of Mehmas, who showed some good form in Meydan when finishing third behind No Retreat in a valuable handicap. That horse has since joined the same stable and produced a solid effort to finish third in the traditionally strong Silver Bowl handicap at Haydock last weekend.
This represents a drop in class and off a 2lb lower mark, he looks worth siding with from a kind draw in stall two.
1pt Win - Force And Valour
Odds – 4/1
Up at Hamilton, I'm siding with Hi Ya Mal, who makes the near 400-mile journey to Scotland for Andrew Balding and Green Team Racing to contest the mile and a half handicap at 5.03.
He shaped like a horse better than his current mark of 66 when runner-up at Kempton in February, travelling strongly before being outpointed by one late-on. Once again, he posted a good effort over the same mile and a half trip when fourth at Southwell last time, kicking for home some way out prior to getting tired late-on again.
A half-brother to two winners on the turf, switching to the grass could be just what is required for the son of New Bay. His only outing to date on turf came when a moderate third at Bath last season in novice company, but he's clearly a stronger model now, while that run also came on testing ground over an inadequate mile and a quarter.
Switched to the turf over this more suitable twelve furlongs, Andrew Balding's charge is selected to come out on top.
1pt Win – Hi Ya Mal
Odds – 10/3
