Sectional Debrief: Kempton, Wednesday August 7

A slightly quicker surface than recently prevailed at Kempton on Wednesday evening, if not quick enough for it to be described it as "fast". With minimal wind and a number of races over the same distances, it might be imagined that unearthing sectional nuggets would be easier than usual, but that is not the case.  

The winners of the contests run in decent overall times (in comparison to the abilities of the horses in question), namely races 2, 6 and 7, ran close enough to optimum for there to be not much in the way of mark-ups to their performances. Prospera was close up at the sectional, Bartack led there and Tevez came from about 6½ lengths back 3f out in the concluding race, thus offsetting the slightly too-strong pace in that race. 

Indeed, the first three in Tevez's race were all several lengths off that pace turning in, and of more interest are fourth and fifth, Solvanna and Piccolo Mondo. The leader at the sectional was Piccolo Mondo, who was beaten less than a length at the line and gets a 3 lb mark-up. In usual circumstances, he might get added to the "to follow" list, but he is a 7-y-o maiden from a stable with few winners and gets passed over as a result. It is reasonable to expect him to continue to run well, however. 

The other races resulted in disappointing overall times, even after how those times were arrived at is allowed for. The leader in the opener, Manomine, went much too fast, and Shavansky (about 9½ lengths back at the sectional) was actually close to par. Turin gets a bigger upgrade on the back of sectionals than those he beat, on account of quite a quick finish, but the form may not be out of the ordinary.

There is an argument for Fast Pace to be slightly better than Nearly Caught (who beat him by a short head) on sectionals. Don't Stare and Ennobled Friend look to be 5 lb to 6 lb more superior than their rivals in something of a sprint finish to the 8f maiden, but, again, the overall time is underwhelming. 

Two horses ran from the "to follow" list, and both were beaten. On balance, they both seem worth giving one more chance to. Crown Pleasure was a disappointing fourth to Turin, tending to go in snatches. It is possible she failed to cope with the surface and the form of her promising debut on turf has worked out well, so perhaps she can be cut a bit of slack. Fiducia is in better form than her two unplaced efforts since her win at the track might suggest, set plenty to do each time. She was beaten little more than 2 lengths by Bartack. A cutthroat pace, and possibly 7f, may prove ideal for her. 

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