King's Vanity looks regal at Kempton

King's Vanity can benefit from stepping back up to 1600m in the Try Unibet's New Acca Boosts Handicap at Kempton on Sunday.

The four-year-old shaped with plenty of promise over that trip on his sole start last term, beaten just under two lengths in fifth, before successfully dropping back slightly to win over 1400m last month.

While the official margin was a length, he looked good value for that as he hung a bit on the bend before eventually taking the lead inside the distance.

Kept to 1400m next time, he was unfortunate to bump into Metaverse who proved a touch too sharp after King's Vanity took a keen hold early and expended a bit too much energy.

Given a mark of 84 following that third run, Andrew Balding could have something to work with here.

Metaverse himself is in action in the Unibet More Boosts In More Races Handicap - switching back to 1200m this time.

He posted a decent effort over the distance first time up in 2024, in what was his first run since last May, before moving up to win over 1400m when he was another who showed plenty of early pace.

On that basis a move back to a sprint trip may not be a negative.

Alhather can make it third time lucky in the Unibet/Breeders Backing Racing EBF Maiden Stakes.

A 160,000 guineas purchase as a yearling, he came up against a more experienced rival on debut and had to give best after racing to the fore throughout.

He was again prominent on his second start and dropped away in the dying strides to come home third, which was still a fair level of form given the second has come out and won subsequently.

Stavvy outran his 16-1 odds at Doncaster to finish third and a repeat of that could be good enough in the Join Southwell Golf Club Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race at the Nottinghamshire venue.

Well beaten by a subsequent Listed winner on debut, Stavvy improved for the experience when returned to Town Moor, racing with plenty of zest but lacking the extra to trouble the smart-looking Les's Destiny Star.

This might not be as a tough a test.

Dr Shirocco disappointed at Musselburgh on New Year's Day but can right the record in the George Crawford Legacy Trust Handicap Chase back at that track.

A winner over an extended 3000m here, Dr Shirocco was never travelling last time and it is probably best to just put a line through that form. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

KEMPTON: 18.55 Soldier's Class, 19.30 Smasher, 20.00 Diamond Dreamer, 20.30 Alhather, 21.00 Engineer, 21.30 Metaverse, 22.00 KING'S VANITY (NAP), 22.30 Northern Cracksman.

PUNCHESTOWN: 15.35 Mister Policeman, 16.05 Senior Chief, 16.35 Where It All Began, 17.05 No Flies On Him, 17.40 Whale Harbour, 18.10 Jack Du Large, 18.40 Masterboy Davis, 19.10 The Goffer.

MUSSELBURGH: 15.45 Micks Jet, 16.15 Dr Shirocco, 16.45 Jem In Em, 17.20 No Regrets, 17.50 Eden Mill, 18.20 Budarri, 18.50 We Still Believe.

SOUTHWELL: 15.55 Mackie Dee, 16.25 Noche Negra, 16.55 Sagebourg County, 17.30 Stavvy, 18.00 Sea Grey, 18.30 It's Maisy, 19.00 Jumbo Veste Verte.