Sectional Debrief, Kempton, Friday September 6 & Saturday September 7

All-weather fans had a taste of the future in recent days, with four successive cards at Kempton, culminating in a classy affair on Saturday which featured two Group 3s and a valuable handicap. We will soon be back to all-weather action taking place on most days, while Arena Racing's plan for a much-bolstered all-weather season and a valuable All-Weather Finals Day would mean more class and less dross for the winter game if it comes to fruition. Hopefully it will. 

Friday's Kempton card saw winners averaging Timeform ratings of 87, so was hardly mundane, either. The first four races were truly-run or close to truly-run. Indeed, Midnight Feast went a bit too fast in the opener and faded into sixth, while the winner, Uppercut, came from second-last at the sectional. Runner-up Ocean Tempest led for much of the straight and can be marked up slightly, if not enough to be confident that he will break a string of five successive "close-but-no-cigar" efforts next time. 

There was a fairly big sectional eye-catcher in the second race in the form of fourth-placed Kingdom's Call, who was hopelessly green but still ran the last 3f easily quickest (about 35.55s) and can be rated best in the race. A mediocre overall race time is the only thing that tempers enthusiasm slightly. Runner-up Laugharne (36.15s) and seventh-placed Rochambeau (36.05s) were next quickest and almost joined Kingdom's Call on the sectional "to follow" list. 

Charles Molson (35.1s last 3f, despite having to wait for a run) was possibly unlucky not to beat Mystique Rider in race 3 and should be a tough nut to crack next time at 5f/6f. Basil Berry landed some decent bets for the shrewd Chris Dwyer team in the nursery and finished strongly enough (34.85s) to suggest he had the best part of another length up his sleeve. 

The remaining races on Friday were falsely-run affairs, resulting in sprint finishes. In normal circumstances, Castillo del Diablo would be a certainty to make the "to follow" list. He recorded a remarkable 34.45s for the last 3f to come from last to second behind Cat O'Mountain (who was not hanging around himself) and could be rated several lengths better than the result. However, there are doubts about his temperament (raced lazily in first-time blinkers here), so he should be respected but not definitely backed.

The average Timeform rating of winners on Saturday was 98, with the September Stakes success of Prince Bishop and the Sirenia Stakes success of Brown Sugar rating over 110 on form. Both wins were backed up by reasonable times, and in Prince Bishop's case that was despite the pace being sub-optimal. A final 3f of 35.35s suggests he may still be as good as when putting up one of the handicap performances of the year in victory at Meydan in January. 

Brown Sugar ran efficiently, and the fact that Figure of Speech made up nearly two lengths from the sectional and failed narrowly speaks in the latter's favour. It should not be forgotten, however, that the winner was giving weight all round. 

Hors de Combat, runner-up in the opener, would have a good chance of reversing placings with Evening Attire another day, coming home in a fast 34.05s but just unable to get past the quickening winner. Graphic's winning time looks a good one and was achieved in a style close to optimum, with never-nearer third Loving Spirit getting the biggest sectional mark-up (the latter seems a better place than win proposition, however). 

Jazz Master's time was respectable, and the way he finished (last 3f of 35.4s) suggests he may follow up. He is unlikely to be missed by many, however, having strung out his rivals. Ballinderry Boy got a well-judged ride from the front but put sufficient distance between himself and the others to suggest he was best anyway.  

The penultimate race on Saturday provided the truest pace test, and Footstepsintherain raced efficiently in mid-field before leading late on. The final race turned up another one for the "to follow" list in third-placed Extrasolar, who ran the last 3f of a rather steadily-run race fastest (35.0s) but was emptying by the end. He should be at least as effective returned to 6f as at this 7f.

Full form ratings and time ratings to accompany these sectional observations can be found in Race Passes on the Timeform site.

To follow: Kingdom's Call, Charles Molson and Extrasolar   

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