Rake In The Profits With Progress At Kempton

After Burning Brightly's big win on Friday, we were brought back down to earth with a bang with Tullinahoo's tame effort on Saturday. He was slowly away, and he got outpaced. He did threaten to stay on up the outside, but he took a very wide route and there was simply nothing left in the tank. If they can sort out his woes from the starting gates he is capable of winning races, especially if his mark is dropped.

I am sticking to the all weather tomorrow, as the jumps season is still taking shape. The one I like goes in the 1m nursery handicap at 5.40 at  Kempton, and Rake's Progress looks a surefire improver on handicap debut returned to a mile and back on the all weather. This gelded son of Sir Percy was sent off at 16/1 on his debut over 7f at Lingfield, and he was given a really odd ride by Luke Morris.

He was away quickly enough, but Morris seemed to rein him back and he soon had him tucked away on the inside. He looked to be pushing and shoving after around 3f, but the horse responded every time and Morris seemed to pull him back again. He was right up the arse of a couple of horses as they rounded the turn into the home straight, when he still looked to be travelling pretty well.

However, he again was steered in behind another rival, and when Morris did eventually give him a smack the leaders had flown and it was game over. He had his next two runs on easy turf over 8.5f and 10.5f, and it was worth a try seeing as he is a full brother to classy turf performer Lady Tiana. His other brother is a Kempton winner too. Rake's Progress looked to appreciate the synthetic surface at Lingfield, and hopefully it is the same scenario again at Kempton.

His trainer Heather Main is far from a household name, but she is more than capable of getting one ready. She had a winner here a couple of weeks ago with Bluegrass Blues at 11/1, and she has had 10 winners from 81 runners at Kempton. Jack Mitchell has had 2 rides for Main, and he was placed on one of them. With trip and track likely to suit I think Rake's Progress might be underestimated off his opening mark of 59 and, at odds of 14/1, he looks well worthy of an each way interest in an open looking nursery.

STEVOS' SELECTIONS: 5.40 KEMPTON: RAKE'S PROGRESS E/W 14/1