Romance on the cards at Kempton

By Ashley Iveson, PA

Rebel’s Romance is expected to make the most of a sizeable drop in class in the Unibet Wild Flower Stakes at Kempton.

Charlie Appleby’s five-year-old showcased his talent on the world stage last year, with back-to-back Group One wins in Germany followed by a third top-level win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

For whatever reason, the Dubawi gelding has not been able to replicate those achievements so far this year, with a disappointing run behind Japanese wonder horse Equinox in the Dubai Sheema Classic followed by a heavy fall for his rider Richard Mullen after he clipped heels in a Saratoga Grade Two.

He again ran below expectations when fourth on his return to Grade One level in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and did not defend his Breeders’ Cup crown last month.

Rebel’s Romance clearly has questions to answer on his return to home soil, but he is by far and away the most talented horse in this Listed event and there will be some long faces at Moulton Paddocks if he is unable to take advantage of what looks gilt-edged opportunity on paper.

Momaer gets the nod in the Unibet More Boosts In More Races Fillies’ Handicap.

Mark Loughnane’s charge arrives here off the back of a fine turf campaign, with wins at Leicester and Newmarket sandwiching a handful of decent efforts in defeat.

She is unexposed on the all-weather following just three starts on artificial surfaces and she connections will be hoping for a profitable winter.

Intervention appears well placed to complete his hat-trick in the BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap at Lingfield.

The six-year-old has won nine times in all for trainer Mick Appleby and successful ownership group The Horse Watchers, seven of those victories coming in 2022.

Intervention subsequently embarked on a 26-race losing streak, but that did at least lead to a drop in the weight and he has profited with back-to-back wins.

It was at Wolverhampton last month where he finally returned to the winner’s enclosure and a 4lb rise was nowhere near enough to stop him following up comfortably at this track last week.

It is no surprise connections have opted to turning him out quickly under a 5lb penalty, while a drop back in trip from seven to six furlongs is not expected to be an issue for a horse who likes to get on with things in front.

Gloves appears an obvious candidate for the BetMGM: It’s Showtime Nursery Handicap.

While clearly not one of trainer George Boughey’s brighter lights in the juvenile division, she has shown enough to suggest she is more than capable of winning from a mark in the 60s.

Her Achilles heel appears to be the start as on each of her last two runs she has missed the break before doing her best work at the finish and looking unfortunate on both occasions.

She undoubtedly has enough ability to land a race of this nature if she can sort out her issue in the stalls.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Don’t Tell Su looks banker material in the Bickham House “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle at Exeter.

The Chepstow bumper winner found only subsequent Grade Two scorer Minella Missile too strong on his hurdling bow at the same track in late October.

Don’t Tell Su will not need to improve much if at all on that effort to go one better in Devon.

Lunar Discovery can notch a third win at Hexham in the opening Seasons Greetings From Hexham Bookmakers Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, while Apple Away looks the likely start of the show at Leicester.

Lucinda Russell’s Grade One-winning hurdler was set a stiff enough test on her chasing debut at Haydock last month when third behind the highly-rated pair of Grey Dawning and Gaillard Du Mesnil.

She has far less on her plate in the @leicesterraces Christmas Meeting 28th December Book Now Beginners’ Chase.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

LINGFIELD: Race 1: 14.00 Capuchinero, Race 2: 14.30 Gloves, Race 3: 15.00 Stintino Sunset, Race 4: 15.30 Sarkha, Race 5: 16.00 Intervention, Race 6: 16.30 Deed Pole, Race 7: 17.00 Verbier, Race 8: 17.30 Shalfa.

HEXHAM: Race 1: 14.15 Lunar Discovery, Race 2: 14.45 Artic Mann, Race 3: 15.15 Zwicky, Race 4: 15.45 Ballylinch, Race 5: 16.15 Rock Danse, Race 6: 16.45 Doyouknowwhatimean, Race 7: 17.20 Velasco.

EXETER: Race 1: 14.20 Kruger Park, Race 2: 14.50 Percy Veering, Race 3: 15.20 Don’t Tell Su, Race 4: 15.50 Sir Psycho, Race 5: 16.20 Daany, Race 6: 16.50 Silver In Disguise, Race 7: 17.25 Quebecois.

LEICESTER: Race 1: 15.05 Apple Away, Race 2: 15.35 Kepagge, Race 3: 16.05 Val Dancer, Race 4: 16.35 Johnny Mac, Race 5: 17.05 The Edgar Wallace, Race 6: 17.35 No Quarter Asked.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 19.00 Hand Jive, Race 2: 19.30 Rascal Recknell, Race 3: 20.00 Born A Rebel, Race 4: 20.30 Fouroneohfever, Race 5: 21.00 Dark Side Thunder, Race 6: 21.30 REBEL’S ROMANCE (NAP), Race 7: 22.00 Momaer, Race 8: 22.30 No News.

ALL TO COME: Don’t Tell Su (Exeter, Race 3) and Rebel’s Romance (Kempton, Race 6)

For fields, betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com