Sectional Debrief: Kempton, November 5 & 6

This week's two all-weather cards at Kempton were run on a very similar surface, with no more than a few pounds difference in the speed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Simple comparisons across the two days are plausible, though the timefigures and sectional ratings quoted do distinguish between the two days. 

Within-card comparisons on Tuesday show that the two 6f races were run in contrasting style, the two 11f races were run slightly differently, and the two 8f races were run in similar fashion, the crucial things to consider here being the finishing speed %s. 

The bare form of the opener was modest, but the principals came back quickly, and the winner, Much Promise, came back quickest of all and gets the biggest sectional mark-up. The 8f races were more truly-run, and, indeed, the winners were the only runners in them whose finishing speed %s exceeded 100. Both horses ran closer to par than their rivals, which should be borne in mind when assessing their chances next time. 

Perhaps the most interesting race of the evening was the 11f maiden won by debutante Kindu. Not only did the well-bred filly run a comfortably faster time than did the fairly useful handicapper Diamond Mine half an hour later, she did it while running only about a length slower from the 3f sectional in a more truly-run race than that horse. The long and short of it is that Kindu looks potentially useful (sectional ratings in the above include a general lift from the overall timefigures given). 

There is, however, no doubt as to which horse put up the time and sectional performance of the two days, and that is Pretend, who had made the "to follow" list after a highly promising debut here last month. Pretend's 35.35s last 3f was swift, but so was his overall time of 85.34s. He gets an eye-catching 108 timefigure, which can be upgraded to 110 on sectionals. Those are the sorts of figures that should see him win a listed race and be highly competitive in Group company: he should continue to be followed. 

Godolphin were also on the scoreboard with Maria Bella (fastest in a sprint finish and gets her time marked up plenty) and Natural Choice (ran close to par, and in a reasonable time), though it would be no great surprise if their Sibling Honour, who came from some way back to chase home Natural Choice, proved best of the trio in due course.
 
While listed winner Pether's Moon recorded a time 2.8s faster than Atalanta Bay over the same 12f trip, a bigger difference might have been expected given their respective abilities and the weights they carried. The latter's race was more truly-run (he was the only one in it to record a finishing speed in excess of 100%) but it was still disappointing that Pether's Moon did not come home quicker still. 

Mr Burbidge's overall time was similarly underwhelming, compared to his ability, but he definitely did come back quickly - around 35.6s for the last 3f - and can be considered best in the race by some way. Such a turn of foot is a valuable weapon for an otherwise average stayer.

To follow: Pretend   

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