Timeform UK SmartPlays: Tuesday April 16

Kempton's 14:20, a novices' handicap chase over two and a half miles, doesn't strike as being the most competitive of affairs with several in the field that have been below form of late. Bearing that in mind the 4.3100/30 currently available about Cold Knight, trained by Alan King, seems fairly generous, particularly when considering he caught the eye on his debut over fences. The seven-year-old, who was a fair hurdler, kicked off his career over the larger obstacles when finishing fifth at Bangor in February, jumping well but not being knocked about towards the finish, and he appeals as the type to do better now handicapping with his yard in fine form. 

Course form is often key at Southwell and many will look at Al Khan's seventh placed finish, on his fibresand debut last month, and assume that he simply didn't take to the surface. That is not the case however as he actually shaped much better than the bare result over an inadequate five furlongs, effectively ending his chance with a sluggish start, and he ought to be much more at home over today's distance of seven furlongs. A handicap mark of 76 is fair enough and it would come as a surprise were he not to go close. 

We return to Kempton for a final selection, this time in the 17:10 which is a handicap chase over three miles. Both Larks Lad and Lexicon Lad have to be respected but they might have to go some to get the better of Shuil Royale, who final got his act together over fences when scoring at Wincanton last month over two miles and five furlongs. A 5 lb rise incurred for that win seems fair but what could prove the key to him is the step up to this trip, as the suspicion has always been that he could thrive at it. If he appreciates the greater test of stamina he seems sure to put up a bold bid. 

Timeform UK SmartPlays:
Back Cold Knight @ 4.3100/30 in the 14:20 at Kempton
Back Al Khan @ 6.86/1 in the 16:25 at Southwell
Back Shuil Royale @ 5.59/2 in the 17:10 at Kempton

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