Key questions as Gifford finds the 'perfect race' for improving Glen Rocco

3.35 Kempton
888Sport Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 3m | 5yo+ | RTV/ITV4

Jeremy Kyle's dream of owning a Grand National winner is well and truly alive in the form of Glen Rocco.

The Nick Gifford-trained runner destroyed a quality field by 23 lengths at the same track last time out and has risen 13lb in the weights as a result. He is upped in grade here and faces a classier field, but this smart, improving type will likely take some stopping.

Gifford said: "It's a much more competitive race and he'll need to improve to be up to this grade. I thought the race fell apart last time but he was still upped 13lb.

"The form from his Boxing Day race was good [second to Glen Forsa, who won the Kingmaker at Sandown last week] and he'll love the ground. They went a good gallop when he won last time so he should be used to it.

"He's a novice but doesn't jump like one so it should be the perfect race for him. He wants every yard of the trip and it's really exciting. He's got a nice weight and if he's in the same form as last time then he should be right there jumping the last."

Kyle owns Glen Rocco with Coral's David Stevens and Ged Mason, and the trio are hoping he can develop into a National horse next season.

Gifford added: "It's great for the owners. When we bought the horse I said to Jezzy [Jeremy Kyle] we need to be patient for a year or two because the first season is all about jumping fences.

"The dream with this horse is the National, that's what we're building up to. He's turned out a bit better than what I thought he might be."

Will there be more big-race joy for Nicholls?

It was a super Saturday for Paul Nicholls last weekend and the trainer could scoop another feature race here with three representatives.

Adrien Du Pont: a Grade 1 winner as a juvenile hurdlerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Bookmakers believe Adrien Du Pont is the pick of his trio, with Harry Cobden carrying the same blue and pink silks he wore on last week's impressive Ascot Chase winner Cyrname.

Harry Derham, assistant to Nicholls, said: "Adrien Du Pont has been trained for this since his last win.

"He's in really good form and we're very happy with him. He did it well last time, the race fell into place for him. The key is just to get him settled, and if he does settle he'll run a massive race I'm sure."

Nicholls also saddles Modus and Romain De Senam, and Derham added: "We thought the step up in trip would help Modus, so we'll see with him, and Romain De Senam was back to form last time in a weaker race. The ground would suit him so fingers crossed."

Can Double Shuffle end two-year winless spell?

On his penultimate visit to Kempton, Double Shuffle was just a length behind Might Bite in the King George. He drops into handicap company here after finishing fifth in this season's King George behind Clan Des Obeaux.

Jockey Jonathan Burke said of the nine-year-old, who was second in this race two seasons ago: "I'm looking forward to riding him and he loves it around Kempton, and this is a fair drop in grade.

"He felt in good order when I schooled him earlier in the week and although it will be difficult off top weight I'm hoping he has a good chance."

Trainer Tom George added: "He’s in good form and likes the track. This is a race which is notorious for horses running well off a big weight and he’s been second in it before."

Can luck finally favour Rather Be?

If one horse is owed a big win it is Rather Be. Beaten a head at the Cheltenham Festival and brought down when travelling powerfully in the BetVictor Gold Cup, he is tested over a longer trip here.

Rather Be (centre) going down by a head to Mister Whitaker (left) in the Close Brothers at CheltenhamCredit: Grossick Racing

Owner Matt Morgan said: "It looks a wide open race but our horse should have every chance.

"He's up in trip but Kempton will suit him. Nicky [Henderson, trainer] says he worked well the other day – he always does – and we hope there's a big one in him. He's due one!"

Henderson's assistant Toby Lawes added: "I think the trip will suit him well. He’s very professional and should settle nicely. A track like Kempton is ideal for a first try at three miles and he's always a horse who has enjoyed better ground so that’s on his side.

"He’s in cracking form at home and fingers crossed he can put up a good performance.

What they say

Alan King, trainer of Talkischeap
Talkischeap may bypass the Cheltenham Festival but I hope he can run a big race. He's a novice but has a fair amount of experience over fences and his jumping has been sound this season. His form has been progressive too and there was no disgrace in a recent second over course and distance, conceding weight to a higher-rated rival. Track and ground should be ideal and this could be a good race for him.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Walt
He's come out of his last race really well. Sam [Twiston-Davies] schooled him this morning and he jumped really well so we're happy going into the race. It's a tough race but it's a handicap and you've got to be in it to win it.

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