Artistic Star can shine at Kempton

Artistic Star can feel the benefit of his recent return run as he lines up in the Try Unibet’s New Improved Acca Boosts Handicap at Kempton.

The five-year-old was highly tried during his Classic year, finishing seventh in the Derby at Epsom before coming home third in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and placing fourth in Goodwood’s Gordon Stakes and the Great Voltigeur at York.

He proved a way short of that kind of level but after being gelded at the end of the 2023 campaign, there was some promise in his initial fifth in the Gordon Richards Stakes last April, but he was then off the track until running at Southwell in late November.

Given the length of his absence, it was no surprise to see him drop away at the finish after trying to make all against race-fit rivals, but that outing should have knocked off any rust and a 2lb ease from the handicapper is another plus in his favour.

Kiniro starts handicap life on a reasonable mark of 79 for Harry Charlton.

He was sent off a 100-1 shot on debut and duly finished down the field but he ran much better second time out when fourth at Newcastle in December before making another leap forward at Lingfield earlier this month.

Kiniro was a surprise winner that day, as he edged out a 1-6 favourite, seemingly with a bit in hand, and a repeat when upped to seven furlongs in the Unibet Zero% Mission Handicap should be good enough.

Naughty Eyes gets the nod in the Weekly Free Bets With BetMGM Extra Restricted Novice Stakes at Lingfield.

Winner of a maiden on debut, she could not follow up on her second start when letting down favourite backers as she trailed home third, beaten over six lengths after slightly missing the break and lacking a bit of pace in a five-furlong finish.

Having won over six, it perhaps makes sense to now give her a whirl at seven furlongs.

Ridin Solo can make his mark in the Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Handicap Hurdle at Catterick.

He has only once finished out of the places in six hurdles runs so far, taking home the bronze medal on each of his last three runs, most recently at Sedgefield.

His current mark of 105 looks competitive for Donald McCain.

Jarrive De Mee is of clear interest for Willie Mullins in the Go Racing In Yorkshire Season Ticket Novices’ Hurdle.

A point-to-point winner in April 2024, he got off the mark under rules at Thurles in November in a race that has produced two subsequent winners.

SELECTIONS

CATTERICK: 1.08 Champagnesuperover, 1.38 Jarrive De Mee, 2.08 Batman For Ever, 2.38 Ridin Solo, 3.08 Mr Mahler, 3.38 Sea Legend, 4.08 Dilly’s Gunner.

KEMPTON: 5.30 Sound Janet, 6.00 Egoiste, 6.30 Zeus Olympios, 7.00 Midsummer Music, 7.30 Kiniro, 8.00 ARTISTIC STAR (NAP), 8.30 Comte De Loir.

LINGFIELD: 12.25 Foreseen, 12.55 Naughty Eyes, 1.25 Merrimack, 1.55 Majestic Heights, 2.25 Raqraaq, 2.55 Lequinto, 3.25 Royal Observatory, 3.55 Rivas Rob Roy.

DOUBLE: Artistic Star and Ridin Solo.