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Kempton's Virgin Bet Raceday predictions: Brave call for Saturday feature
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Enda McElhinney
Racing Post
Kempton hosts a seven-race card sponsored by Virgin Bet on Saturday and Enda McElhinney has a selection for each race.
Kempton hosts a seven-race card sponsored by Virgin Bet on Saturday and Enda McElhinney has a selection for each race.

As the dust settles on another spellbinding Cheltenham Festival, action moves to Kempton Park on Saturday afternoon as the Sunbury venue hosts the Virgin Bet raceday.

It is a seven-race card at Kempton from 1.30pm through until 5.00pm, with the feature Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Chase (2.40pm) boasting a top prize of more than £31,000 to the winner.

Here is our race-by-race look ahead to the Saturday afternoon Kempton action.

1.30pm - Virgin Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (2m2f)

STORMIN CROSSGALES had the measure of Cap Du Mathan when they clashed at Wincanton (1m7½f, good) in November. 

That was a first chasing start for the Tom George inmate and he has plenty of scope for better. 

He was in control of that race late on and is only 1lb worse off with the re-opposing runner-up now, with this longer trip likely to be within range. 

Whistleinthedark is 2-2 over fences for Laura Morgan and has claims dropped back in trip, albeit he is rated 9lb higher after his win at Wetherby last month.

Racing Post selection: Stormin Crossgales @ 7/2

2.05pm - Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (2m5f)

Outlaw Peter found the Lanzarote Hurdle here in January too hot on handicap bow but the Paul Nicholls inmate has won again in novice company since at Wincanton and could retain scope for better in this sphere. 

HARBOUR LAKE was another to be pulled up in that Lanzarote but his earlier efforts at Cheltenham (Greatwood Hurdle, third) and Aintree were promising and he is fairly treated in these calmer waters for Alan King and Sam Twiston-Davies.

Racing Post selection: Harbour Lake @ 7/1

2.40pm - Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Chase (2m4½f)

Brave Seasca's form figures away from Cheltenham must surely put him in the frame for Saturday's feature
Brave Seasca's form figures away from Cheltenham must surely put him in the frame for Saturday's feature

Following his chasing bow, BRAVE SEASCA boasts form figures in this code of 1113-1 when racing away from Cheltenham, with the third coming behind subsequent Arkle winner Edwardstone last February in the Kingmaker at Warwick. 

At Prestbury Park, however, he is F-0P in three starts — little wonder then that Venetia Williams opted to skip the big show there this week. 

He has top weight here but his November comeback win at Aintree suggests he might just do it.

Racing Post selection: Brave Seasca @ 8/1

3.17pm - Virgin Bet Mares' Novices' Hurdle (2m)

VICKI VALE was a Hereford maiden winner in November over 2m3½f and went close at Ffos Las over this trip in January on soft ground. 

Either side of that run, she took in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury in December and the Jane Seymour Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Sandown last month, won by You Wear It Well before her Mares' Novices' Hurdle score at the Cheltenham Festival this week. 

This is a drop in grade for the Dan Skelton inmate and she should grab her chance.

Racing Post selection: Vicki Vale

15:50 - Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (3m)

Animal went close at Stratford earlier in the week and must have solid claims at this slightly longer trip if this quick reappearance does not catch him out. 

I'M A STARMAN sneaks in off bottom-weight and shaped with much more purpose when third at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) last month in first-time blinkers. 

He is on a nice mark and the booking of Sam Twiston-Davies is eye-catching.

Racing Post selection: I'm A Starman

16:25 - Virgin Bet Fives Novices' Hurdle (2m5f)

A winner at Exeter early last month in a Virgin Bet Maiden Hurdle over 2m5½f, THE KING OF RYHOPE built on that by finishing third in a Grade 2 Doncaster trial for the Albert Bartlett upped in trip next time. 

He comes down in trip/grade here and should be good enough to account for the Nicky Henderson-trained Issuing Authority, beaten favourite in all three hurdles starts thus far.

Racing Post selection: The King Of Ryhope

17:00 - Virgin Bet 'Junior' NH Flat Race (2m)

Elpologreg and Navajo Indy showed ability on their respective debuts but may need a jolt of improvement with some interesting newcomers from top yards on show here. 

Jackpot D'athou is one such case for Paul Nicholls but eyes are very much drawn to Camelot gelding MONTECAM for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. 

He is a half-brother to the mighty Altior and could make a winning start to his career.

Racing Post selection: Montecam

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