Tuesday 2 January 2024 14:48, UK
Arts Of War is expected to be all the rage at Kempton in the Try Our New Price Boost At Unibet Fillies' Novice Stakes for the red-hot Roger Varian.
The daughter of Dubawi eventually showed promise as a juvenile after being bought for £210,000 at a breeze-up sale back in April. She made a belated racecourse debut at Newmarket in early November and was far from disgraced in fourth behind smart prospect Love Dynasty.
Having then been well backed to strike at Southwell, Arts Of War still looked something of a work in progress when plugging on for third. However, the first two home that day did appear above-average all-weather runners and a step up in trip from seven furlongs to a mile can help Varian's filly make it third time lucky after a little more time to mature.
The action begins with the Try Unibet's New Acca Boosts Handicap and Laura's Breeze is backed to defy top-weight. Ed Dunlop's filly had excuses for a couple of below-par efforts, finding Lingfield a touch sharp before using up too much energy pushing forward early on from a poor draw when upped in distance at Wolverhampton. This daughter of Ribchester had previously followed up a close second at this venue by securing a cosy Wolverhampton success and is worth sticking with now back down to seven furlongs.
Engineer appeared to catch a tartar when having to settle for second best behind impressive scorer Mukaafah here in mid-November. Clive Cox's charge had previously galloped on powerfully from a prominent position to prevail at Wolverhampton, despite still showing some signs of greenness. The Showcasing colt has been given a seven-week break to strengthen up and will hopefully be more like the finished article for the Unibet Extra Place Offers Every Day Handicap.
Former bumper winner Ocean Heights seems to be enjoying a stint on the level after not really taking to jumping hurdles and may be worth following in the Unibet Support Safe Gambling Handicap. Following a couple of encouraging placed efforts here, he was always doing just enough when scoring by half a length from the consistent Way Of Life in an apprentice race over a mile and a half. Dropping back down a furlong will not be an issue and a 4lb rise up the ratings is offset by Aiden Brookes being able to use his claim this time.
McLean House claimed three victories at Kempton in 2023 and can kick off his four-year-old campaign with another strike in the Try Our New Price Boosts At Unibet Handicap. After an early sighter at Southwell, Andrew Balding's charge kept on strongly to land a February maiden from Naaser, who won next time out.
He again powered home when picking off main market rival Giant in a novice event the following month before spending over eight months on the sidelines. The son of Dream Ahead looked in need of his November reappearance when fifth at Wolverhampton but was soon back on song, outbattling eight-time all-weather winner Soar Above at this venue.
McLean House, who hails from the same family as star performers such as Warning and Commander In Chief, travelled well throughout that contest and is built to carry on improving with age, while his style of racing makes a wide draw less of a worry.
SELECTIONS:
KEMPTON: 4.55 Laura's Breeze, 5.30 ARTS OF WAR (NAP), 6.00 Revision, 6.30 Starsong, 7.00 Engineer, 7.30 Ocean Heights, 8.00 McLean House, 8.30 Rising Force.
DOUBLE: Arts Of War and McLean House.
