Kempton — 19 August 2026

Class 4 · 7f · Standard To Slow · 9 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Withtearsinmyeyes (11/8)

Won by: Merry (GB) at 4/1 · then Withtearsinmyeyes (IRE), River Nile (IRE)

What we said: Withtearsinmyeyes heads the market on solid placed form (223) but she's returning from 93 days off, a band that reads as a genuine if modest negative rather than a green light, and Billy Loughnane's book has been running behind the market these last 30 days; Merry's money is moving but her form figures (3-452) are workmanlike rather than winning, and the rest of the field carries sire-ground mismatches (Palliser, Mile End Road, Graniteville all want faster than today's standard-to-slow) or long absences with unknown fitness (River Nile, Graniteville). Nothing here clears the bar for my own cash at the price on offer.

Class 6 · 7f · Standard To Slow · 13 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Sakowin (11/4)

Won by: Sakowin (IRE) at 9/4F · then Perfect Hope (GB), Printing Money (IRE)

What we said: Sakowin heads the market on solid form but returns from a 66-day break in a band that reads as a genuine, if modest, negative, and it's stepping up in trip onto ground it hasn't raced on; Printing Money adds cheekpieces and a tongue strap fresh which could go either way, and Kochella's close-up recent effort over course and distance keeps this too many ways to call at a price that doesn't compensate. With three runners carrying live claims and none clearing its own number by enough to trust, this nursery is better watched than bet.

Class 3 · 7f · Standard To Slow · 13 ran

Our bet: Sonic Angel (10/3)

Won by: Sonic Angel (GB) at 7/4 · then Liberty's Hall (GB), Give Hand (IRE)

What we said: Won readily on debut at Kempton over 6f on this same standard/slow surface, so the ground holds no fears, and stepping up to 7f looks a natural progression for a horse that quickened well late; Jack Mitchell continues on a horse he clearly knows well from that opening win. At 10/3 there's enough coverage for a proven winner against a field of debutants and one very short, unexposed favourite.

Class 4 · 1m3f219y · Standard To Slow · 12 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Liberate (9/4)

Won by: Liberate (FR) · then Quiet Summer (GER), St Hilda (IRE)

What we said: Liberate's money (9/4 from 4/1) buys into a colt stepping up two furlongs to almost 12f for the first time on ground his Muhaarar blood doesn't favour, Feelin' Free is unproven past 10f and returns from 63 days off, and St Hilda's recent form line (2,2,6) is heading the wrong way even with the best turn of early speed in the race — nothing here clears its price by a case I'd back with my own money.

Class 4 · 1m · Standard To Slow · 10 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Victory Ace (6/1)

Won by: Victory Ace (GB) at 9/4 · then Mr Professor (IRE), Lucky Camino (IRE)

What we said: Too many runners with genuinely overlapping cases (Percy's Lad, Breakdancer, Lucky Camino, Chapter and Victory Ace all sit in a tight band on recent form and ability) and no single one clearly separates itself, while market leader Lake Como carries real red flags — first-time cheekpieces, a return from 74 days off with a poor fresh-runs record, and a Boughey/Loughnane combination that has run well behind its price this season. With five plausible types and the one standout price-wise looking vulnerable on the specifics, this is a race to watch rather than punt.

Class 4 · 1m · Standard To Slow · 10 ran

Our bet: Racingbreaks Ryder (7/2)

Won by: Starlight Time (GB) at 13/2 · then Fight Your Corner (IRE), Luzon Heights (GB)

What we said: He won last time out over course and distance-adjacent ground at Kempton just 7 days ago (1/11, 7f standard/slow), and today he steps up just a furlong on the exact same going at the same track, a proven combination few in this field can match. Back-to-back victories (form reads 8-1-1 across recent runs) show a gelding peaking at the right time, and unlike the two market principals — Exposure and Distinct Spirit — he carries no question mark about handling today's surface.

Class 4 · 1m · Standard To Slow · 9 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Cavolo Nero (9/4)

Won by: Cavolo Nero (GB) at 13/8F · then Malachy's Wish (GB), Helm Rock (GB)

What we said: This is a tightly-matched handicap with four runners carrying legitimate claims at overlapping prices: Cavolo Nero's front-running recent form (3-2341) is undercut by his first run back off a 70-day break, Rogue Defence arrives on a三-race unbeaten 151 sequence, Malachy's Wish steps up in trip fresh off an 8-day turnaround win, and steamer Talis Evolvere has the class form despite a flat last effort — nothing separates them cleanly enough to make a stand.

Class 5 · 7f · Standard To Slow · 11 ran

Our bet: Santiago Boy (4/1)

Won by: Piazza (GB) at 9/1 · then Santiago Boy (GB), Eduardo Calderon (IRE)

What we said: Ran a solid second of 14 just nine days ago at this same Kempton track over a similar trip and drops back to 7f today which should sharpen his finishing effort, and his form line shows him improving with every start this campaign. The Charles Hills yard and Jason Watson combine well together and he's clearly the standout form horse in a moderate field.