Events / Graham Cunningham / 10 April 2009 /

Graham Cunningham casts his expert eye over the highlights of Saturday's Kempton card.

Saint Arch appeals more than most on difficult Kempton card

The first point to make is that Kempton offers some good prize money and some useful racing this Saturday.

And the second point is that a couple of the feature events look tough enough to test even the keenest Polytrack addict.

Take the Snowdrop Stakes at 2.40. None of the main form contenders have run this season and three of them - namely Perfect Star, Scuffle and Festoso - have any experience of racing on artificial surfaces.

In short, it's an easy enough race to pass on, but the Easter Stakes at 3.10 makes more appeal despite concerns about the way it will develop.

One swift glance down the card for this Listed contest is more than enough to realise that this is a race in which pressure on the pace could be intense.

Captain Ramius, Saint Arch, Pure Poetry, Mishrif and Sohcahtoa have all made the running and much depends on which of them force things and which of them opt to take a lead here.

Stall one sets Jamie Spencer an interesting dilemma if he wants to lead on the unbeaten Captain Ramius, while Mishrif looks better drawn in box 9 but has something to find judged on official figures.

All things considered Mark Johnston's Saint Arch looks the safest option. Like Captain Ramius, his record reads three wins from three starts. The latest came in emphatic style in a strong handicap over this course and distance and his powerful galloping style suggests the faster they go here the better it will suit him.


Cordell has back to lay potential in Kempton opener

Ryan Moore's Easter hasn't got off to the best of starts due to a bug which kept him out of action on Wednesday and Thursday, but the cheery champion has an interesting mount to look forward to when Cordell returns from a break of his own in the 2.05.

"He'll keep on improving all year" was the reaction of Richard Hannon jnr after this strapping colt had made virtually all for an impressive handicap success over this course and distance just over a year ago.

Training troubles plainly intervened to keep him off games for the rest of the campaign, but Cordell returns with the scope for further improvement and a handy draw as he bids to make up for lost time.

Clearly, it would be risky to go overboard given that lengthy absence and with Extraterrestrial, Saltagioo and stablemate Cape Hawk in opposition this will take plenty of winning.

However, there was something about the way Cordell stretched clear here last year that suggested he probably has much more to offer. He's nicely drawn to attack in stall nine and his strong travelling style gives him clear potential for those who like to back a horse at the best morning price before trading out at much shorter in-running.

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