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2 Feb 2015

2:45 Kempton Racing Tips (3rd February) JOIN THE RACING UK CLUB MAIDEN AUCTION STAKES (CLASS 5) (3yo)


A Maiden Auction Stakes race over 1m on standard going. Six three-year-olds take part: one filly, two geldings and three colts. Three debutantes take on a trio of lightly-raced horses in what, by all accounts, is a low-class affair. 

Virtual Reality has been relatively fancied on both starts to date for Charlie McBride, but somewhat disappointing in ways. This son of Virtual was expected to run a big race second start but always looked to be struggling to go the pace and has a pronounced running action. The apprentice claim should have given some advantage but he was beaten by another of today's runners Vale Of Iron. McBride has Jamie Spencer booked to ride and that may help although John Best's runner-up that day at Chelmsford City was a touch keen in the first two furlong and there may not be much between the pair. 

In many respects I wasn't impressed by Virtual Reality who looked a flat-footed plodder. In that horse's defence, this race may be no better and most of these, including the debutantes, have something to prove. 

Oakley Star has proved limited on her first two starts, trained by Gay Kelleway. Connections of this Multiplex filly will be hoping a rest of nearly three months will find some improvement. A horse I would rather watch.

The debutantes wouldn't need to be anything special to figure here although experienced opposition will at least indicate these youngster will need to be fit and ready or a diamond in the sand. For the best bookmaker offers get up to £200 free at Bet365 using a promo code from this website

John Butler's horses have been in good form with a couple of decent winners of late. Three Times A Lord is a son of Three Valleys out of a Group-winning mare [Sesmen]. The mare, trained by Marco Botti, won the Prestige Stakes (Group 3) at two, proving victorious on her first three starts. In fact, she wasn't disgraces when running at Group 1 class at Longchamp at three, gaining an official rating of 105. She concluded her career by winning a Listed race. Considering Three Times A Lord has decent breeding is it surprising he was purchased as a foal for just 4,000gns at Tattersalls December Foals 2012. A half-brother was sold at the yearling sales for 100,000euros. Three Times A Lord is worth watching in the betting and if supported could well prove a danger in this restricted race type.

It's interesting to see Rae Guest fields a colt and gelding, both debutantes. This stable can ready a horse to win first start although most are priced 10/1 & less. With such a small field there is a slight concern they may be forced into this betting guide. 

Silversmith is an Irish bred son of Mastercraftsman, owned by Miss Emma O'Gorman, who isn't the type to keep a horse unless it has some hope of winning. He was purchase for 40,000euors as a yearling and not sold for 38,000gns at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sales. Clearly connections were hoping for more money, which suggests this grey gelding has something about him.Chris Catlin rides most of the stable's horses. 

Tell Me Another was a cheap yearling purchase at just 3,000gns and part owned by Rae Guest. David Probert rides infrequently for the yard but holds fair statistics. The Guest pair are difficult to assess but the betting is likely to tell the story.   

Summary: A tricky race to assess. There doesn't look much between the two form horses: Vale Of Iron and Virtual Reality. They will be fit and primed to go well but is the level of form good enough to win? Virtual Reality may go better for Jamie Spencer but he looks an awkward type. Vale Of Iron must have a fighting chance of beating him once more. The debutantes could prove the ace up the sleeve. Three Times A Lord is a very cheap buy but well bred. I can only imagine he was an ugly duckling. If backed I would take note. The betting is worth noting for Rae Guest's duo. If priced 10/1 & less they hold fair claims.