Kempton — 26 August 2026

Class 3 · 1m0f0y · Standard To Slow · 8 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Al Wathba (4/7)

Won by: Al Wathba (FR) at 4/7F · then Pure Concept (AUS), Wykehurst Park (GB)

What we said: Al Wathba is clearly the class of this weak novice field on his 2/3 form for Appleby and Buick, but he's stepping up in trip for the first time and has no run on this standard going in either outing, and at odds-on there's no specific reason today (no pace shape, no rider change) that amplifies his case beyond what the price already assumes; the rest of the field is mostly unraced or lightly-tried types at big prices that don't offer a case either. Sommood also arrives without a standard-ground run and stepping up in trip, so the two most solid form horses both carry the same going question mark.

Class 4 · 0m7f0y · Standard To Slow · 8 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Kaindy (2/7)

Won by: Kaindy (IRE) at 2/9F · then Sea Brave (IRE)

What we said: Kaindy sits on top of the market at a price already reflecting his solid course and trainer form, but at odds around 5/13 there's no room for anything but near-certainty, and a drop in trip to 7f with a modest last-run third gives no extra edge to justify betting into a price that tight; the rest of the field, headed by the long-absent Sea Brave, are too far off the pace to interest at their prices.

Class 4 · 0m7f0y · Standard To Slow · 10 ran

Our bet: Merry (4/1)

Won by: Afraj (IRE) at 11/1 · then Merry (GB), Ghisa (IRE)

What we said: won last time out (1/9) over this exact course, trip and ground just seven days ago, a rapid back-up that suggests she's still fresh and improving into this fitness; the same C&D/going combination today gives her a straightforward form case to repeat. She also tracks the pace habitually rather than needing to lead, which suits a workmanlike polytrack gallop.

Class 4 · 1m3f219y · Standard To Slow · 8 ran

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

Won by: Gloryous (IRE) at 13/2 · then Aphrodite Spirit (GB), Bint Kilfrush (GB)

What we said: Ladykirk repeats course, trip and going to the yard, but her form string reads 2-5-5-2, a filly who keeps missing out rather than winning, and at odds-on-ish terms with the market there's no cushion for that habit; Bintknight arrives in red-hot form (5-1-2-1) yet steps up in trip and has never raced on standard ground in four starts, and Gloryous carries top weight into a race where nothing else stands out enough to separate three market leaders.

Class 4 · 0m6f0y · Standard To Slow · 12 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Arry Up (10/3)

Won by: Bintaryana (GB) at 5/1 · then Kolkata Knight (IRE), Wezzeer (IRE)

What we said: Too many live claims in a competitive 12-runner Kempton handicap: Wezzeer boasts a big rating edge and a distance win but returns from a lay-off that's traditionally a mild negative, Arry Up has three course-and-distance wins and a rising form line, Caviar Cowboy drops back to a trip that's already yielded two seconds, and Bintaryana adds another plausible profile — nothing separates them enough to lean on one at the price, and this track has been a poor hunting ground for our picks lately.

Class 5 · 1m3f219y · Standard To Slow · 12 ran

Our bet: Hot Silk (11/4)

Won by: Madjid (GB) at 100/30F · then Cosmo Brown (IRE), Evening Fades (GB)

What we said: She's already proven exactly today's test, finishing 2nd of 10 over course and distance-adjacent ground on standard/slow just 16 days ago, so the switch from good-to-firm that trips up much of this field simply isn't a question for her. First-time cheekpieces on a filly who's been knocking on the door with 4-4-3-2 finishing figures suggests the yard is sharpening her for the win they think is coming, and the small step up in trip should suit a filly already comfortable racing on.