Iberico Lord and Gidleigh Park clash in Kempton beginners' chase - punting pointers for Monday's action

Punting pointers from today's two race meetings . . .

Kempton: smart novices on parade

It may no longer include Sir Gino, but the 2m2f beginners' chase (1.30) at Kempton is still going to take plenty of winning.

With Sir Gino set to run instead at Newcastle this Saturday in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, last season's Greatwood and Betfair Hurdle winner Iberico Lord embarks on his chasing career for the Nicky Henderson yard.

Henderson said in a recent stable tour: "Iberico Lord is going really well and has the potential to go to the very top. He was at his very best when winning the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, courtesy of a brilliant ride from Nico [de Boinville]. Whatever happens, I do think he can be successful at the highest level."

In a small but select field, the Harry Fry-trained Grade 2 novice hurdle winner Gidleigh Park looks Iberico Lord's main rival, while The Four Sixes does not have much to find on ratings and Leave Of Absence has won three of his four starts under rules.

Iberico Lord13:30 Kempton

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Jky: Nico de Boinville Tnr: Nicky Henderson

Key stat: Honeyball in hot form

Anthony Honeyball has his string in fine form with five winners from 15 runners over the past fortnight for a 33 per cent strike-rate. He saddles Leave Of Absence (1.30) at Kempton, along with Oakley's Way (12.45) and Pure Theatre (3.25) at Ludlow. 

Ludlow: Sheppard out to strike again

Matt Sheppard has won with three of his last five runners in the last fortnight for an impressive 60 per cent strike-rate, and he could enhance those figures with his two runners at Ludlow. 

Olivia Kate contests the 2m5½f mares' novice handicap hurdle (1.45), before El Vigaro lines up in the 1m7½f handicap hurdle (2.15). The five-year-old won last time out but Sheppard is worried about the rain forecast at the Shropshire track. 

He said: "El Vigaro did it nicely at Uttoxeter but I'm a little concerned that a lot of rain won't help him. I've no reason to think it will stop him too much though."

Sheppard added: "Everything's going really well at the moment, I can't explain how or why. You go through phases like this – sometimes you can't do anything right and sometimes you can't do anything wrong, and at the moment I can't do much wrong, so hopefully that continues." 

El Vigaro14:15 Ludlow

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Jky: Stan Sheppard Tnr: Matt Sheppard

Key stat: perfect record

Jamie Snowden has an exemplary record at Ludlow this season with three wins from three runners. He saddles Realistic Optimism in the opening 1m7½f maiden hurdle (12.45).

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