3 minute read

Sam King returns with two selections at Kempton on Wednesday afternoon…

As expected with it being a London Mile Series Qualifier, the North Farm Stud Handicap has attracted a competitive field of fourteen. 

You'd be hard-pressed to rule many of them out but with plenty of firms offering four places, it looks a nice race to concentrate on from an each-way angle. 

James Fanshawe has been in good form of late and his class-dropping Hickory catches the eye back at one of his favoured venues. The gelded son of Free Eagle is two from four at the Sunbury track and had a hopeless task from a poor position when eighth of twelve over seven furlongs at Newcastle last time. 

A habitual hold-up performer, there should be enough pace on here for him to aim at and with an unbeaten record of two from two in Class 4 company, there's surely reason to believe he can pick up a piece of the action at a double figure price.

The booking of Sean Levey for the first time is by no means a negative and the James Fanshawe-trained gelding so often strong at the finish, stepping up to a mile for the first time really looks like an interesting move.

A current mark of 87 is certainly workable and he looks well worth an each-way bet at 11/1.

Odds – 11/1 

Later on the card, Havanagreattime looks particularly interesting in division 2 of the North Farm Stud Handicap. 

Richard Hughes' unexposed three-year-old hasn't been seen since posting a career-best effort when making a winning return from the front over seven furlongs here in March. That victory came following a very similar length break so he clearly goes well fresh, and with stepping up to a mile for the first time a potential angle for further improvement it wouldn't be at all surprising if a current of 87 was well within his range. 

Finley Marsh should get a good sit from stall eight and with those around him towards the head of the market looking more exposed, the Richard Hughes-trained Havana Grey should put up a bold bid in his attempt to retain his unblemished record on the all-weather. 

Odds – 4/1