Jockey bookings could prove key in classy middle-distance handicap

Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day (London Middle Distance Series Qualifier) Handicap | 1m3f | 3yo | RTV

Plenty of people turned their noses up at all-weather racing in the past but it’s contests like this that have forced them to think again because this three-year-old handicap wouldn’t be out of place at the top turf tracks and several runners have competed at such venues.

Irish Legend, for example, finished third in the Golden Gates Stakes at Royal Ascot a couple of months ago and the winner that day, Foxes Tales, won the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes this month.

Irish Legend hasn’t been able to boost the form further, but he has twice run well in defeat since Royal Ascot and finished fourth behind Nagano in a hot handicap at Glorious Goodwood last time.

This race doesn’t look as competitive, but Irish Legend has to carry top weight now he is dropped in grade and there are a few dangers lurking off lighter weights, notably Zikany for Sir Michael Stoute.

Irish Legend (left): winning on his debut at Nottingham last yearCredit: Pool

Ryan Moore will be at Kempton for just one ride on this progressive son of Zoffany, who recorded a career-high Racing Post Rating of 88 when second in a 1m4f handicap at Salisbury last time.

Zikany is from a family Stoute knows well. He oversaw the careers of Zikany’s full brother Soffika and half-siblings Dubka and Desert Dream, now trained by Seb Spencer. Soffika had a career-best RPR of 99 and Dubka 108, so Zikany is bred to be better than his mark.

Trevor Whelan joins forces with Roger Charlton aboard King Of Tsavo, who will be fitted with first-time blinkers, and that is another jockey booking that stands out as he is 5-20 for Charlton this year.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Irish Legend
He’s been a little bit frustrating and is something of an underachiever given his ability. I think he stays a mile and a half, though he hasn’t conclusively proved it by winning over the trip yet so dropping back a furlong shouldn’t be a disadvantage. He’s proven already he goes on the all-weather. He was too aggressive in blinkers at Goodwood so I think going back to the cheekpieces here will make a difference.

Dave Loughnane, trainer of Choritzo
He’s heading to the sales at the end of the month so we’re just trying to get a good run into him. He had a hard time of it last year and it’s been tough to get him back on track. The trip should be okay and we just wanted to try something new with the cheekpieces.

Roger Charlton, trainer of King Of Tsavo
He’s been a little bit disappointing recently but he'll run in first-time blinkers. He won nicely the only previous time he ran at Kempton.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Pied Piper
He’s progressive and the drop back in trip shouldn't be a problem. However, it’s a competitive race with several other improving types.
Reporting by Sam Hendry

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