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The Doyen Chief should appreciate drop in trip
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Alpine Sierra worth a chance off lower mark
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In-form Tortured Soul can complete hat-trick
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Kempton, 14:05 - The Doyen Chief has Timeform's 'Horses For Courses' Flag
The Doyen Chief ran creditably on his reappearance when runner-up to subsequent winner Deep Cave in a three-mile handicap chase at Bangor, with the pair finishing a long way clear of the third.
It was notable how smoothly The Doyen Chief travelled at Bangor and that has been a feature of his performances over fences. That strong-travelling style was also seen to good effect when he won over this course and distance last March, and he has Timeform's Horses For Courses Flag to highlight his effectiveness around Kempton's speed-favouring track.
He was only fifth in a three-and-a-quarter-mile handicap chase at Cheltenham last time, but he shaped better than the bare result, leaving the impression that he would benefit from a drop back in trip. He is faced with a sharper test back at three miles around Kempton and he appeals as being on a fair mark, heading Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings by 1 lb.
Back The Doyen Chief in the 14:05 at Kempton
Newcastle, 15:10 - Top-rated Alpine Sierra has fallen to a handy mark
Alpine Sierra failed to win last year but has been offered some respite from the handicapper and is able to compete here off a career-low mark.
He's been running respectably of late but is 3 lb lower now than when fifth in a better-quality handicap over a mile here 12 days ago.
He'll have no trouble stepping back up to a mile and a quarter - he's won over course and distance - and can take advantage of the drop in grade from his lowly mark. He heads Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings by 2 lb based on the pick of last year's efforts but has even better form to call on from previous seasons.
Back Alpine Sierra in the 15:10 at Newcastle
Lingfield, 15:38 - 'Horse In Focus' Tortured Soul can shine again
Tortured Soul did well to reel in one who had stolen a march when landing a mile-and-a-quarter handicap here last month and he produced a better effort to follow up over an extra furlong at Southwell last week.
Tortured Soul was better positioned to strike on that occasion, and possibly fortunate to fend off the runner-up who came from further back, but there was still a lot to like about how the front pair sprinted well clear of the third at the end of a steadily-run race.
That performance, which was rated as his best since the end of 2024, earned Tortured Soul the Horse In Focus Flag from Timeform's reporter to mark him out as one likely to be of firm interest next time. This further step up in trip should suit - he's a course-and-distance winner - and he looks likely to give another good account following a 4 lb rise in the weights.
Back Tortured Soul in the 15:38 at Lingfield