Sectional Debrief: Kempton, September 11

Most readers of these Sectional Debriefs will now be familiar with the format and with what sectionals can tell us about performances. For those looking for a refresher, an introductory piece can be found HERE (though a few amendments have been made to the conversion formula since), while earlier Debriefs in this series tackle some of the specific issues regarding sectionals. 

The headline figures above give us a good impression of the general run of the race. Optimum finishing speed %s at Kempton are in the 101%-102.5% region, depending on distance, and a figure below that usually indicates a race run at a strong pace, while a figure above that usually indicates a race run at a steady or slow pace. For instance, it can be seen that the races won by Gabrial's Gift, First Class and (particularly) Silver Lace were run quicker than par early on, resulting in slowish finishes, while those won by Speckled and Day of Conquest were run slower than par early on. 

Those are the figures for the leaders at the 3f sectional and the leaders (i.e. the winners) at the line. Figures for individual horses will be different, of course, and may tell us much more about those horses. For instance, both Silver Lace and First Class were around five lengths back at the sectional and ran their own races close to par. 

Silver Lace's race particularly suited closers, and in this context second and third, Exclusive Waters and Bowstar, did well and look to be the best two horses in the race. Bowstar particularly impressed with how she shaped after an absence (led for much of the straight having travelled notably well) and is added to the sectional "to follow" list. 

The run of the race helped close up horses more in other contests, and the biggest eye-catcher with this in mind was Fantasy Gladiator, who was poorly placed before coming home strongly but just failing to catch Hierarch. Sectionals have Fantasy Gladiator best in the race by a length or two, and he is another to be added to the "to follow" list. Fourth-placed Greensward shaped quite well also.   

More conventional time analysis identifies Relation Alexander as a worthy winner of the nursery earlier on the card, coming from 2.5 lengths back at the sectional and running the last 3f in about 36.15s. With more than 5 lengths back to the third come the line, she deserves to go up plenty for this decisive success in a good overall time. 

Day of Conquest posted the fastest sectional of the evening by some way (35.05s) and should confirm himself at least useful, for all that this form looks messy. He was also one of a number of horses in the last few meetings at Kempton to run well when coming centre-to-stand-side in the straight. Others have run well on the far side, and there is no conclusive evidence of a track bias, but it is a situation worth keeping an eye on. 

Alpine Retreat and Gone Dutch go for the "to follow" list today (Hot Bed would have done but has been declared a non-runner), while Zain Spirit was identified as one "to oppose". 

To follow: Bowstar, Fantasy Gladiator.

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