Keys to solve the Maiden Stakes over twelve furlongs at Kempton today. The effect of weight is a fascinating subject, this should be very interesting.One of two four-year-olds, Keys carries 14lbs more than 12 three-year-olds, under terms of the weight-for-age scale used throughout the British Isles. It's a welter burden but George Baker rides Roger Charlton's charge, which makes this situation even more intriguing.Like Lester Piggott before him, Baker is a tall jockey (nigh on six feet!) and he balances himself right on the withers of thoroughbreds, the strongest area of their anatomy. George is a wonderful jockey, not least because he's turned that negative into a positive.
On the time-handicap, Keys comes out a few pounds inferior to El Mansour and Tarkeeba. None of the others is coloured, however, and so, an each-way bet is obviously the way to go. I'll bet George rides as short as is possible.Superplex can finally gain reward for consistency in the Maiden Stakes over six furlongs at Catterick, drawn one, best of all!Of course, if Superplex misses the break, he'll be in the worst position but John Quinn's charge has been second in three of five outings and obviously, is blessed with considerable experience, not to mention top jock, PJ McDonald. Top-rated by at least 7lbs, Superplex should finally oblige and go one better. I'll bet he does.
Alshazah is the only conceivable danger to Outsmart in the Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs of Chepstow tonight, a 'thieving' each-way bet if ever there was one.Three places on offer, good recent form and bags of confidence from the in-form Rod Millman camp, his son, James, rides and that's a bonus, given the way he rode out his apprentice claim, within a relatively short period.Obviously, Outsmart will be tough to beat and is certain to be a short-priced favourite but when punting seriously, it's necessary to determine value and that's Alshazah, second leg of our each-way double!
SELECTIONS
RACE 6 (#8) SUPERPLEX (nap)
RACE 28 (#1) ALSHAZAH (e.w.)
RACE 29 (#1) KEYS (e.w.)
RACE 40 (#2) RAFAAF (e.w.)
