Encore Looks Overpriced At Kempton

It has been a quiet week for the blog this week, but I haven't had any strong fancies so what can I do. I am really looking forward to seeing Quiet Reflection back in action on Saturday in the Sprint Cup, and on a more forgiving surface I think she can make her presence felt. She will be suited by the likely breakneck pace, and if the forecast rain arrives I think she could be the one to be with. Gordon Lord Byron is also capable of running well if the ground eases, and you can read a full preview here.

Tomorrow I like the look of one at Kempton, and on his last run on the all weather he looks well overpriced at 12/1. Hier Encore goes in the 2m handicap at 20.30 and he is in the care of up and coming trainer David Menuisier. This 4yo son of Kentucky Dynamite showed next to nothing on his first four starts, but he showed he had ability three runs back when second at 50/1 at Nottingham (14f soft) from 11lbs out of the handicap. His burden was offset by the 7lb claim of his jockey Rory Walsh, but even so it was a cracking effort and the way he stayed on suggested he would stay even further. 

He was raised to a mark of 56 for that run, but he backed it up with another excellent run at Lingfield off his new mark when upped to 16f for the first time. He was then sent off to France, probably to chase some better prize money on easy ground, but he could only manage a ninth placed finish at Deauville (15f good). The quicker ground and drop to 15f probably did for him, and he will be suited by the step back up to 16f and returning to the all weather. He races off 56, the same mark as he had at Lingfield, and William Carson (1/6 for the yard) takes the ride. There are plenty that like to be prominent in the field so Hier Encore should get a good pace to aim at, and at odds of 12/1 he is a confident each way selection. 

STEVOS' SELECTION: 8.30 KEMPTON-HIER ENCORE E/W 12/1