Crisford: Honey Man must have good chance of landing London Mile

3.15 Kempton
188Bet Extra Place Races "London Mile" Handicap Series Final |1m | ITV1/ RUK

The final is almost a re-run of the latest qualifier of the series staged at the track last month. That contest was won by Honey Man and he again faces Hakeem (second), Medieval (third), Lawmaking (fourth), Noble Peace (seventh), Gossiping (eighth) and Kingston Kurrajong (ninth).

Honey Man was favourite that day and Simon Crisford's son of Dawn Approach is likely to head the market again even though he is 4lb worse off (including weight for age) for the three-quarters of a length by which he beat the runner-up.

On that occasion, Honey Man got stuck in traffic before getting up close home and the consensus is that he would have won easier with a clear passage.

Whether he will get that in a maximum field of 16 is open to debate, but with prize-money of £70,000 it makes sense to have a crack and he is not badly drawn in stall eight, the same berth from which last year's winner Brilliant Vanguard emerged.

Crisford said: "Honey Man is a course-and-distance winner and remains in good form. He did well to win last time and must have a good chance against the same horses even though he's worse off with the second."

Hakeem had previously won a 7f handicap at Newmarket and Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: "He ran a great race last time and must be in with a good chance from stall two. It's great prize-money and hopefully he can get some of it."

Medieval is also well drawn in stall three and Oliver Cole, assistant trainer to father Paul, said: "We've been very lucky with the draw and he's been in good form at home."

Kieran O'Neill, who rides Lawmaking, is in a positive mood about his chances. He said: "He was not beaten far last time and if he shows up in the form he was in earlier in the season he'd have to be bang there."

Read exclusive previews of from 6pm daily on racingpost.com