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Beccali can continue on upward curve at Kempton

Written by Press Association | Jan 7, 2025 2:15:46 PM

Beccali can make the leap up to 1600m in the Try Unibet's Improved Bet Builder Handicap at Kempton on Wednesday.

The three-year-old has been through the ring twice already, fetching E310,000 as a foal before being upgraded to a E580,000 purchase as a yearling and he took a few runs to find his feet on the track.

He suffered a heavy defeat as an odds-on favourite at Leicester last May and again made little impact at Newmarket in August, but moved up to 1400m on the all-weather by Charlie Appleby, Beccali found his niche.

Fourth at Chelmsford in November, he finally got off the mark at Wolverhampton before Christmas, despite hanging across the track and hampering a couple of his rivals.

He won by a cosy 1.5-lengths and moving up to 1600m here should be no issue, even under an extra 6lb.

Golden Thorn can make it third time lucky in the Unibet/EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.

Sent off a 50-1 shot on debut at Kempton in November, she looked in need of the experience as she came home a well-beaten sixth and the outing appeared to have the desired effect as she finished second at the second attempt.

She just got reeled in at the finish over 1600m that day, so dropping back to 1400m here may suit better.

Jack McNamara made a good start for Simon Pearce and can improve again to win the Unibet Zero% Mission Handicap.

The five-year-old was second in a Curragh maiden in October and subsequently changed hands, eventually ending up at Pearce's Newmarket yard and making his first British start at Wolverhampton.

Beaten 5.5-lengths over 2400m on that occasion in a maiden contest, it is interesting Pearce not only makes the switch to handicap company here but also hikes in trip to 3200m.

His dam was ultra versatile, winning on the Flat, over hurdles and fences, so stamina on her side is not in question.

Hierarchy is the pick in the Free Bet With Unibet's Betbuilder Rebound Handicap.

He has been thereabouts in his last couple of runs and sits on his lowest ever mark of 72, some way below the 108 perch he had in 2022.

King's School can bring up his hat-trick in the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap at Newcastle.

Twice successful over 1400m at this track in December, with just seven days between runs, he is well versed in the task that faces him here.

While off a slightly higher mark of 75, Warren Fentiman rode him to good effect last time and takes a handy 7lb off again.

Sorceleur is another on a roll as he lines up in the Stables Business Park Handicap Hurdle at Taunton.

He won novice events on consecutive days at Exeter and Wincanton in November, winning with plenty in hand to earn a starting point of 122. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings on Wednesday. Here are the tips.

TAUNTON: Race 1: 14.45 Kykorock, Race 2: 15.15 Strolling Along, Race 3: 15.45 Largy Force, Race 4: 16.15 Sorceleur, Race 5: 16.45 Joker De Mai, Race 6: 17.15 Lady Caro.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 15.03 Oakley Boy, Race 2: 15.33 Percy Willis, Race 3: 16.03 Fireblade, Race 4: 16.33 Mondammej, Race 5: 17.03 Sandret, Race 6: 17.33 King's School, Race 7: 18.03 Drafted.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 19.00 Lady Birdie, Race 2: 19.30 Golden Thorn, Race 3: 20.00 Blue Empress, Race 4: 20.30 Hierarchy, Race 5: 21.00 Profitman, Race 6: 21.30 BECCALI (NAP), Race 7: 22.00 Jack McNamara.

ALL TO COME: Golden Thorn and Beccali (Kempton, Races 2 and 6).