Sectional Debrief: Kempton, Wednesday 14 August

Sometimes there is not a lot to be said about a meeting from a sectionals angle, and last night's meeting at Kempton was one such occasion. Not all the races were truly-run, for sure, but mark-ups based on final-3f sectional are small in all instances.

Using just one sectional, as is realistic when taking times by-hand, sometimes does not capture the full story of a race, with the opener a case in point. The closing sectionals of the principals were close to par (first three had finishing speed %s of 102.0, 100.0 and 100.9) but were achieved in contrasting fashion. The runner-up, Halling's Treasure, went clear early in the straight before caving in late and being overhauled by Strawberry Jam, who only hit top stride in the final 300 yards.  

While the final-3f sectionals identify a negligible upgrade, the overall time was modest and identifies the race more widely as somewhat suspect. Form from races run at stop-start gallops like this is often not repeated.  

The two two-year-old races, won by Tender Emotion and Lady Frances, stand out on overall time (compared to the horses' apparent ability) and result in disappointing figures for the remainder of the races, none of which was obviously run in a fashion which accounts for the disparity. 

Tender Emotion's race was run at a sound enough pace, despite some visual inferences to the contrary, with front-runner Queenie's Home paying with a 99.0% finishing speed. But the overall form is almost certainly not strong for a track which sometimes plays host to good horses on the up, and there were no obvious "to follow" horses on show. 

It would be wrong to imagine that Lady Frances achieved little in winning the three-runner nursery from the front, for all that sectionals show she went slightly more steadily than par and that runner-up Sunset Shore might have run her closer another day. But, again, that does not translate into either those horses being "to follow" candidates for the future. 

There has been a lull in action for horses on the sectional lists, with things likely to step up again next week, when the likes of Lucky Kristale, Sleeper King and Sole Power (all "to follow" horses) are engaged at the York Ebor meeting. 

Before then, Shwaiman is due to fly the flag for the list at Doncaster on Saturday. He comes from a strong sectional maiden at Kempton which has already produced next-time winners, and represents a stable (James Fanshawe's) that is in flying form. So the portents are good for a big run from him.     

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