Captain Cutter showed some promising bumper form last term and the novice hurdle over two miles and five furlongs looks (13:35) an ideal place to start his career over timber. He was impressive in overcoming signs of greenness to take his a listed bumper at Ascot in late 2012, and ran creditably thereafter. He should have been ridden more prominently when third at the same track in February, before running into a smart staying prospect Turnandgo in a competitive bumper at Punchestown in April, and all though he was no match for the winner he pulled well clear of the remaining pack which contained 10 previous winners. Although Nicky Henderson's string are taking a little while to hit their stride, the booking of AP McCoy, who is on a freakish run of form even by his lofty standards, is obviously a positive.
The Pertemps qualifier over the same trip (14:40), looks another interesting contest, and a valuable one, with David Pipe's Grand Crus looking to get his career back on track. He looked a genuine Gold Cup contender at one stage, but has not won for almost two years and is too risky to back at such a short price. The horse to go for instead is the Tom George-trained God's Own, who looked sure to figure in his seasonal re-appearance at Chepstow before falling two out, shaping with real promise up to that point. He has some impressive form in the book as a novice, including when third to My Tent Or Yours at Huntingdon in January, and looks to be on a workable mark. This is a competitive heat though, and Irish raider The Crafty Butcher could be the main danger.
We go for another Henderson inmate in the final bet of the day, with Hennessy-bound Hadrian's Approach looking the pick in another competitive heat, this time a graduation chase over an extended two and a half miles (15:10). He had smart from as a novice last season, including when third in the RSA and was not discredited when fifth in the Sandown Park Gold Cup on his last start in April. Although this is a stepping stone on to bigger and better things, this looks a far less competitive contest than he was running in last term he looks open to improvement and sets the standard in form terms. His second here in the Feltham last year shows the sharper track holds no fears, and although today's trip is on the shorter side of what he's been running over recently, he won his maiden over a furlong shorter.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Kempton
Back Captain Cutter @ 1.4640/85 in the 13:35
Back God's Own @ 3.929/10 in the 14:40
Back Hadrian's Approach @ 2.3211/8 in the 15:10
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