Classy Bellosa back from six-month break for first outing on the all-weather

Wednesday: 7.00 Kempton
Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap | 7f | 3yo+ | RTV

Bellosa has her first outing on the all-weather nearly six months after running at Royal Ascot in June and tackles some hardy winter types on her initial start in the handicap ranks.

Unraced at two, the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained filly burst on to the scene as a three-year-old in April when romping home by seven lengths in a seven-furlong maiden at Newmarket.

Bellosa then followed up in similar style to beat the consistent Fundamental in the Listed King Charles II Stakes back on the Rowley Mile the following month.

Connections were then emboldened to have a crack at the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, but the daughter of Awtaad may have been unsuited by the soft ground that day when finishing only 14th to Creative Force.

Although she has been absent since then, Bellosa has been working well under jockey Adam Kirby on the Al Bahathri Polytrack in Newmarket.

Among the dangers is fellow Newmarket hope Mudlahhim, who gave jockey Mia Biggs a memorable first winner when winning over course and distance in August.

Coached by ex-jockey Neil Pollard, Biggs is the daughter of former rider Darren and could have a decent winter on the all-weather circuit judging on how quickly she is improving.

Trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy is hoping this race can prove a decent stepping stone to a productive all-weather campaign for his five-year-old.

Likely to prove tough to beat is the bottomweight May Night, who is on a hat-trick after victories over tonight’s course and distance and at Wolverhampton.

Up only 5lb for a smart dismissal of Wizard D’Amour that day, May Night has the services of decent lightweight Kieran O’Neill for the first time.

Another last-time-out, course-and-distance winner to consider is Diocles Of Rome, who is up 3lb for eclipsing Thaler in October, although the runner-up let the form down next time.

What they say

Cosmo Charlton, racing manager to Hambleton Racing, owners of Mehmento
He was having his first run since a wind op at Chelmsford last time when he paid the price for taking on a well-handicapped horse soon enough. We feel Kempton should suit him better and we expect him to step up on that, although he’s not that well drawn in stall eight of eight.

Jane Chapple-Hyam, trainer of Bellosa
She's been off the track since Royal Ascot with a summer rest and has trained well into this race. Hopefully, she can build on this.

Mick Appleby, trainer of Edraak
It’s his first run at Kempton and he’s back from a break, so may improve for the run, although we expect him to be thereabouts. We’ll see how he gets on, but there’s a possibility we could send him out to Dubai in the coming weeks.

Simon Dow, trainer of Corazon Espinado
He does most of his winning at Lingfield but has finished second at Kempton in the London Mile, although this trip of seven furlongs may be a bit sharp for him now. He had a great summer and this race looks the best local stepping stone to another winter campaign.

Kevin Philipart De Foy, trainer of Mudlahhim
We put him away for the winter after he won over course and distance for Mia Biggs in August, and he has a good draw in stall one. This is a much more competitive contest, but we hope he can run a nice race and set him up for a decent all-weather campaign.

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