Opera to hit Kempton high note

Charlie Appleby can extend his excellent record in the "European Road To The Kentucky Derby" Conditions Stakes at Kempton on Wednesday with Opera Ballo.

None other than subsequent 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech was successful in the race last year, with Highland Avenue and Blue Trail others to score in the Godolphin blue.

Opera Ballo created a very favourable impression on his only start to date when winning by over 8 lengths under Billy Loughnane.

William Buick takes over this time and while that may not seem out of the ordinary, Appleby also runs the 90-rated Olympus Point.

This is far from a penalty kick, however, so he will need to be as good as he looked on debut.

Roger Varian's Saddadd looked above average when winning on his first start, Richard Hughes' Hot Shott was not beaten too far in the Solario Stakes and Marco Botti's Solveno has won three.

However, there will be long faces at Moulton Paddocks if the son of Ghaiyyath is beaten.

The step up to 2000m should suit Andrew Balding's Tuscan Star in the Get Best Odds Guaranteed At Unibet Handicap.

Last of nine on his debut over 1400m, he won over 1600m at Southwell next time out and defied a penalty at Newcastle when last seen over the same trip.

He was well on top at the line there, pulling clear in the final stages, and looks sure to improve again for another step up in trip.

The Rebecca Menzies-trained High Moon has dropped to a workable mark ahead of the Entertain In Style At Wetherby Racecourse Handicap Chase at Wetherby.

Rated as high as 122 at his peak, the 10-year-old is down to 109 after being well beaten on his last couple of starts, allowing him to slot in at the top of this 0-110 contest.

He was never able to land a blow in a decent race won by his ill-fated stablemate Boomslang at Musselburgh on New Year's Day and perhaps conditions were lively enough for him at Market Rasen last time out.

Recent rain has turned the ground soft in West Yorkshire and sporting a visor for the first time, and with Charlie Maggs taking a handy 5lb off his back, High Moon can bounce back to form.

Ira Hayes can remain unbeaten over obstacles for John McConnell in the Racing TV 100% Profits Returned To Racing Novices' Hurdle.

The six-year-old still holds an entry in the Albert Bartlett and while that looks unlikely, his Wexford bumper win and stroll to victory on his hurdling debut at Carlisle make him stand out.

That was 99 days ago so he has had three months off and will arrive in West Yorkshire fresh.

Sam Thomas saddled the first and third in the big handicap at Kempton on Saturday and his Steel Ally was narrowly denied in the National Spirit on Sunday at Fontwell, so his horses remain in rude health.

He runs C'Est Different in the Hope House Children's Hospice Cross Lanes Handicap Hurdle at Bangor and the five-year-old will be short odds to bring up a rapid hat-trick.

He would have been a wide-margin winner at Carlisle last Monday before Dylan Johnston took things rather too easy close home and he was almost caught on the line.

Things were much easier at Chepstow on Saturday when he followed up and as the first win came in a race for just conditional jockeys, he only has one penalty to carry. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Wednesday. Here are the tips.

WINCANTON: Race 1: 15.33 Bobby's Nelson, Race 2: 16.05 Coco Brave, Race 3: 16.35 Caeruleum, Race 4: 17.05 Shan't Wait, Race 5: 17.40 Smart Casual, Race 6: 18.15 Go Sacre Go, Race 7: 18.45 Ace Artist.

WETHERBY: Race 1: 15.45 Madame Luna, Race 2: 16.15 Ira Hayes, Race 3: 16.45 Micks Jet, Race 4: 17.18 High Moon, Race 5: 17.53 Bowling Buddy, Race 6: 18.28 Emotional Roller, Race 7: 19.00 Hard As Nails.

BANGOR: Race 1: 15.55 Caso No Mento, Race 2: 16.25 Jackpot Cash, Race 3: 16.55 Big City Roller, Race 4: 17.30 Getaways Gift, Race 5: 18.05 Winchmore Hill, Race 6: 18.35 C'Est Different, Race 7: 19.10 Pure Sirloin.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.23 Groovy Baby, Race 2: 18.55 No Release, Race 3: 19.30 Manton Road, Race 4: 20.00 Giant, Race 5: 20.30 Jersey Rocs, Race 6: 21.00 Got No Dollars, Race 7: 21.30 OPERA BALLO (NAP), Race 8: 22.00 Tuscan Star, Race 9: 22.30 Currumbin.

ALL TO COME: C'Est Different (Bangor, Race 6) and Opera Ballo (Kempton, Race 7).