A race full of 'talented but troubled' performers - so which one of these lightly raced hopefuls is best placed to strike?

There are some talented but troubled performers in this race. Take Gege Ville as an example. He is a nine-year-old who has run only seven times in the space of four years, but has two wins, two seconds and a third from those attempts and two of his best runs have been his last two.

His most recent victory came over course and distance on heavy ground just before Christmas last year, so connections will probably be hoping the rain comes and history repeats itself.

Gege Ville competes off a career-high mark in only his third handicap and remains unexposed, so might be capable of taking another step forward. He will almost certainly return fully fit because he doesn’t run often enough to come to the races short of his peak.

Lets Go To Vegas is another who isn’t seen often. The seven-year-old has run only eight times in three years, but two wins, two seconds and a third underline that she has talent. Connections will be hoping she can return in similarly top form after a 665-day layoff.

She is 4lb lower than when last seen finishing second over hurdles at Ludlow, so is nicely handicapped if she can return at her best. However, trainer Alastair Ralph has saddled only 12 runners following at least 600 days off the track and all were beaten, finishing 258220F462P5.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Ground update

The going is good to soft, soft in places after 68mm of rain on Monday. It is forecast to be dry with a maximum temperature of 10C on Tuesday and into raceday.

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of West To The Bridge
He isn't getting any younger but has dropped to a more realistic mark and gets 7lb off, which should give him a shout. Any rain would suit him and he'd have an each-way chance.

Dan Skelton: trains Haydock topweight West To The BridgeCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Michael Scudamore, joint-trainer of Knomorediamonds
It's hard to know the form of his Hexham win as the race probably fell apart a bit, but he was still travelling well, albeit quite far out, when he unseated at Carlisle last time. It was probably a decent novice hurdle. The ground and trip will be fine and he's in good form. We'll learn where we are handicap-wise, but he hasn't done a lot wrong on his last couple of starts and hopefully he can get back on track.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Gege Ville
He's a grand horse who likes soft ground and is unexposed for his age. If I run him he'll have a chance, but he might not run if they don't get the rain.

Sam England, trainer of Haarar
He's a lovely little horse and very consistent. I think there's probably wiggle room off his mark and he just needs his conditions. I was hoping they'd have a bit more rain, so that would be my only concern.
Reporting by Maddy Playle

By Chris Cook

1. There are some small fields at Haydock but still the potential for significant performances. Just Ennemi is an interesting five-year-old making his British debut in a beginners' chase (1.08) against just two others. "He's schooled very well over fences," Harry Derham said in a stable tour. "I’m very excited by him, he’s a proper horse." A winning hurdler at Auteuil, Just Ennemi fetched £320,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal sale in late October.

2. Ryan Moore's return to action at Lingfield is widely anticipated but he is not the only big-time Flat jockey worth looking out for. Oisin Murphy has five rides at Kempton, having not been in action in Britain since October. Dream Camp, a two-year-old debutant in a 7f novice (4.05), could be part of the reason for Murphy's return, being nicely bred, expensive and carrying the colours of US celebrity chef Bobby Flay, whose only runner in Britain this year has been Musidora third Go Go Boots. Murphy also has a clear chance on Caprelo in a series final (7.10), having won a qualifier on him in September. In Ireland, Dylan Browne McMonagle has four rides at Dundalk, having also not been seen in Britain or Ireland for weeks. The debutant Greek Mythology is presumably the reason.

3. Oli Rix, the 31-year-old son of top tipster Henry and a former assistant to Roger Varian, sets out on his own training adventure with two runners today. Gallant has a hood fitted on his return from a five-month absence in a 7f handicap at Lingfield (2.30), but is probably not going to get Rix off to a flyer. However, there is something to be said for Trouble Man in a sprint handicap at Kempton (7.40), where he won on his handicap debut in January. Down the field in a French Listed race next time, he would have needed his only run since, when a fair fifth at Doncaster in October.

Read these next:

Graeme Rodway's play of the day at Kempton  

'One of the best jockeys in the world' - Ryan Moore returns from three-month injury layoff with five rides at Lingfield  

The Punt Acca: Jason Leahy with three fancies at Haydock and Kempton on Wednesday  

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.