The booking of Jim Crowley to partner the potentially well-treated Royal Acclamation in the 3.40 at Kempton catches the eye and he looks worth an interest at 11/1.
Michael scuadmore’s gelding has been lightly raced in recent years, and although he has on a long losing run he has slipped down to a handy mark and both his two wins on the all-weather have come at this track.
His last win came over today’s 7f trip back in February 2011 where he only had to be ridden out to beat Jemimaville by 2 lengths off a mark of 48.
He then went to finish runner0up on his next two starts – both at this venue – off marks of 54 and now gets into this off just 45.
That gives the eight-year-old every chance at the weights, and he showed last year when runner-up twice off 45 and 48 that he had another win in him off his current rating.
It’s fair to say that he has not been at his best in three starts this year, but they have come after a lengthy 328 days on the sidelines and he didn’t run too badly on his penultimate start when keeping on from off the pace to finish a never nearer 5th of 9 to Mary’s Pet at Lingfield without being knocked about.
If he can bounce back from a poor run last time over an inadequate 6f at Wolverhampton he is weighted to go close in this, and it could well be that the return to this venue and the assistance of Jim Crowley in the saddle will see him in a far better light.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Royal Acclamation (11/1 Stan James – BOG)