Aidan O'Brien unleashes exciting pair at Navan and a £1 million buy makes his debut at Kempton

Kempton: £1 million debut

Godolphin’s Rapid Force makes his first racecourse appearance following his £1 million purchase at the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale in April.

The two-year-old colt, trained by Charlie Appleby, lines up in the 6f novice (4.03), a small-field contest with just two rivals declared.

By Mehmas and out of Rapid Reaction, who was placed in Group 2 company and achieved a peak RPR of 101, Rapid Force will be ridden by William Buick.

Rapid Force16:03 Kempton (A.W)

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Jky: William Buick Tnr: Charlie Appleby

Ludlow: Cheltenham form on show

Straw Fan Jack was successful on his first Ludlow start in April and returns from a six-month break over the same course and distance in the feature 3m handicap chase (3.35).

The Sheila Lewis-trained ten-year-old was raised only 1lb for that neck victory in a three-runner race, meaning he is still rated 10lb below the mark he achieved when third in the Plate at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.

“We’ve probably been aiming a bit high at the big days, but he’s held his own on the big days,” said Lewis. “He runs well fresh and Ludlow is one of my local tracks, so it just makes sense.”

The form of fellow topweight Almazhar Garde’s latest victory at Worcester is working out well as the third has won since. Charlie Longsdon’s hat-trick-seeker has impressive form figures of F11 at this venue.

Straw Fan Jack15:35 Ludlow

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Jky: Sean Houlihan Tnr: Sheila Lewis

Ludlow stat: Fergal O'Brien

The trainer has had a 100 per cent strike rate with his two runners in handicap hurdles at the track this season. He saddles Kingston Sunflower in the 2m handicap hurdle (2.35)

Kingston Sunflower14:35 Ludlow

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Jky: Fern O'Brien (3lb)Tnr: Fergal O'Brien

Navan: O'Brien unleashes pair

Aidan O’Brien introduces two exciting prospects as Ex Animo and Proposition make their debuts in the mile maiden (3.52).

Ex Animo is by the late Wootton Bassett and is a half-brother to the Andrew Balding-trained Serenity Prayer, who finished runner-up in this year’s Musidora Stakes behind Whirl.

Proposition is by Frankel and out of Halfway To Heaven, the dam of multiple Group 1 winners Magical and Rhododendron. O’Brien has operated at a 36 per cent strike-rate at the track this season.

Ex Animo15:52 Navan

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Jky: Wayne Lordan Tnr: A P O'Brien

Proposition15:52 Navan

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Jky: Jack Cleary (5lb)Tnr: A P O'Brien

Sedgefield: shrewd buy

Dickens has proved to be a shrewd purchase by Alan O'Keeffe, whose partner Jennie Candlish has trained the seven-year-old to win four of his five starts since joining from Alan King.

Dickens has earned just shy of £19,000 in prize-money since O'Keeffe bought him for £7,000 at Doncaster in May, and he bids to defy top weight in the 2m4f handicap hurdle (3.15).

The son of Excelebration made a successful stable debut at Hexham in June under Luke Scott, who has since steered him to victories at Cartmel and Newton Abbot (twice) and maintains the partnership.

The latest of his wins was in a seller at Newton Abbot last week and O'Keeffe said: “We’re taking a chance running him pretty quick, but he’s going up 7lb, so we’re theoretically 7lb well-in. We’re going to roll the dice and see how we go.

“Two and a half miles wouldn’t be a problem and the ground will be fine.”

Dickens15:15 Sedgefield

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Jky: Luke Scott (3lb)Tnr: Jennie Candlish

Sedgefield stat: Jamie Snowden

In the last five seasons the trainer has had a 50 per cent strike-rate from his four runners in bumpers at the track. He saddles Opale De Maine in the 2m1f bumper (4.50).