Timeform UK SmartPlays: Monday November 25

It's difficult to discount any in the line-up for Kempton's 14:05, and for that reason a chance is taken on Mentalist who signed off the last campaign with victory at Southwell, and represents connections who have made a flying start this time round. Persian Snow is unexposed as a chaser and is fancied to go well, whilst Jump City, who dead-heated in a messy affair at Wincanton last time, also needs considering. The selection opened his chase account at Ludlow a year ago and, though improvement is required this time around, that's not unfeasible and he is likely to go well.

Ludlow's 14:15 is a difficult handicap chase to assess, for which the tentative vote goes to handicap-debutant Zarzal who has been brought along steadily to date, and looks the one open to the most improvement. Last Shot was a good winner at Exeter on return to action 2 weeks ago and looks the main danger, whilst Takeroc is dangerously well handicapped and is another to consider.

Barton Stacey hasn't been seen since scoring at Towcester over 18 months ago, but it'll be no surprise if he's successful on his return to the track in Kempton's 14:40. Halucha isn't one for maximum faith, though he can get involved if putting his best foot forward, while Alberobello is slipping to a workable mark. Barton Stacey had been expensive to follow over hurdles before belatedly getting the job done at Towcester (19f) last May. Unraced since, but unlikely to want for fitness and should do better at this sort of trip.

Timeform SmartPlays:
Back Mentalist @ 5.79/2 in the 14:05 at Kempton
Back Zarzal @ 3.929/10 in the 14:15 at Ludlow
Back Barton Stacey @ 4.94/1 in the 14:40 at Kempton

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