Sectional Debrief: Kempton, Thursday December 12

It is ironic, at a time when potential all-weather tracks seem to be coming out of the woodwork, that a couple of the existing ones have lately fallen foul of the, erm, weather. Kempton on Wednesday went by the wayside due to fog, following the mid-card abandonment at Lingfield for the same reason earlier that day, and it proved impossible to get sectionals for the final race at Kempton on Thursday likewise. "Most-weather racing", perhaps. 

Of those races for which it was possible to take accurate sectionals, there was a clear divide between the truly-run ones won by Foie Gras, Harwoods Volante and String Theory and the others. Of those truly-run ones, the overall time for the Harwoods Volante race was notably good (given the standard of runners), and an already positive view of the form could be increased a bit further judged by sectionals. All the runners in that race ran quite close to par and there is no reason to think the winner was anything other than deserving, but he has been less than consistent to date so is not nominated as a "to follow" horse as a result. 

The one race which might have appeared truly-run, but which was not, was the mile nursery won by Dutchartcollector. The first four came from several lengths back at the sectional but were finishing quite a bit faster than par, the winner getting up in the final strides. Front-running Rose Buck was less than a length back in fifth and likely to have been flattered somewhat. The second and third, Starlight Princess and Plough Boy, come out best on sectionals in a race which has a rather messy look to it overall. 

Easily fastest finish of the evening in relative terms was seen in the 12f maiden won by Phosphorescence, who came home in 34.8s (last-3f speed 112.6% of average race speed), ahead of Kingston Eucalypt (34.65s, 113.2%). Sectionals suggest there is little between the pair, but Phosphorescence has far less experience and probably remains the better prospect. 

There are no must-have "to follow" horses from this card - Starlight Princess and Harwoods Volante came closest - but the list continues to operate profitably, with Pensax Lad justifying strong support at Southwell earlier in the week. Anfield (15:55 Wolverhampton) goes for the list today (Friday). 

To follow: none
To oppose: Rose Buck