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Side with progressive novice Noble Park
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Lightly-weighted Konfusion the one to beat
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Chuggy to extend winning streak to four
Kempton, 12:45 - Henderson ace a 'Horse In Focus'
The Nicky Henderson-trained Noble Park, who is top on Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings here, was really impressive at Lingfield last time and is taken to defy the handicapper again and stretch his unbeaten chase record to three.
Recent winners have tended to jump a little left, but nearly all - most notably Leader In The Park 12 months ago - have put in very assured rounds of fencing, a trait that Noble Park showed in abundance when coming well clear of subsequent winner Vandepoel at Lingfield last month.
He's 11 lb higher here but is still well clear on Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings, and he looks a horse going places; he fits the pattern that has seen six-year-olds win ten of the last 11 renewals.
Back Noble Park to win the 12:45 Kempton
Wetherby, 13:35 - Northern-trained runner ticks plenty of boxes
Just five horses declared have been declared for this year's Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase, the fewest for over twenty years, but it's still an interesting contest with just 6 lb separating the five runners on weight-adjusted ratings.
Top of the pile is impressive Rehearsal Chase winner Konfusion who possesses the 'Horse In Focus' and 'Horses For Courses' flag and - looking at the Timeform In-Play Symbols (IPS) - it appears that he could get an easy lead as he bids to follow up.
The yard of Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith also has the 'Hot Trainer' flag at present, so there's further reason to think that Konfusion can defy a 10 lb rise in the weights and extend his unbeaten course record to three.
Back Konfusion to win the 13:35 Wetherby
Noble Park and Konfusion are also bets for Mark Milligan on Boxing Day - read his column here
Aintree, 14:50 - 11 lb rise may underestimate 'Horse In Focus'
'Horse In Focus' Chuggy may have failed to win over hurdles but he continues to go from strength to strength over fences, again jumping impeccably as he brought up the hat-trick with loads to spare at Warwick two weeks ago.
That hasn't gone unnoticed by the assessor - he has an 11 lb higher mark to contend with here - but the manner of that display suggests he's one to keep firmly on side for a while yet and he's nicely clear on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings from fellow recent winners Throatlash and Juby Ball.
A half-brother to The New Lion, there could still be plenty more to come now he has found his feet, and he's fancied to go in again.
Back Chuggy to win the 14:50 Aintree