Don't Discount Dominium At Kempton

Curraghmore Girl ran poorly at Downpatrick although it was a very strange race. Davy Russell poached an early lead and he judged the ride perfectly to last home and claim the win. Curraghmore Girl's jumping fell apart as she tried to close and she was well beaten at the finish. I wouldn't write her off yet though and she could pop up in a poor race at Fairyhouse or Navan.

Tomorrow night I fancy a horse that goes on the all weather at Kempton in the 8.15 and this 9yo son of E Dubai has been a fine servant to connections, winning 6 races during his career, including two over course and distance, and going close on plenty of other occasions. His last win came at Chelmsford back in September off a mark of 78 and his revised mark of 81 was beyond him in a few runs afterwards.

However, he showed clear signs of life on his penultimate run back in December at Lingfield dropped back down to a mark of 77 when he finished a close up 4th. It was an even better run next time off the same mark at Wolverhampton when he was denied a clear run in the home straight before finishing well, again for 4th. His running style means he needs a bit of luck and the gaps to come at the right time, but if he gets the rub of the green tomorrow and a strong pace to aim at (plenty of early pace in the field on paper) he can go close kept to the same mark.

Another positive is that he has been given a nice 68 day break since his last run and he has a history of running well after being freshened up. The blinkers that have been worn on his last 4 wins have been retained and Martin Lane, who was 6/42 for trainer Jeremy Gask last season, comes in for the ride. Gask's only other runner in the last 14 days finished a close 2nd here last week so his yard's well being is not in question. Dominium looks a huge price at 16/1 and he is well worth a few quid each way in a pretty open handicap.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 8.15 KEMPTON-DOMINIUM (E/W) 16/1