Kempton 26/12

[Carl]

Horse: MONKERHOSTIN Course: Kempton Time: 2.20 Smart chaser proven at the very top level and only touched off by Kicking King in last year's renewel at Sandown. Entitled to strip fitter for his return at Huntingdon and looks the each way alternative to the awesome Kauto Star. Great E/W @ 14/1 Horse: KNOWHERE Course: Kempton Time: 1.10 Fell halfway in top Cheltenham handicap in November and plenty of errors since when second on further demanding handicap assignments at Ascot and Cheltenham; acts on soft but 3m can suit and those last two results confirmed that he´s got an awful lot of class.

[Woodie]

Re: Kempton 26/12 Just a quick write up and early thoughts. Kick for Free 2.35 beat a very good novice lto Tidal Bay. A repeat of that performance and Kicks for free will take all the beating today. Has been in good shape on all 3 of his starts this year and should win this with paul nicholls & Ruby looking to get of to a flyer in the opener. 2.10 According to John According to John has been impressive in all of his 6 starts in his career, his first real test is today in grade 1 level for the firs time seems to like any ground and gets the distance. Yes Sir 24 starts over the jumps with 14 wins is just crazy and you know he will run his race and should take all the beating two weeks ago he was one at the top of the markets for the king george. But According to John looks to be progressing with every run and could well take to this higher grade no problem. Straw Bear 1.45 (nap) Straw Bear should be able to follow up his success at Newcastle a month ago, he was impressive when beating Noble Request & Desert Quest. Noble Request should be better for the run and Desert Quest didn't handle the ground lto and could give a better performance today. But I fully expect Straw Bear to make it 2 wins from 2 this season with champion jockey on board. Any rain a bonus. Exotic Dancer e/w 2.20 Kauto will take the beating but I've missed out on the price ante post and can't be backing him at 4/7 now. E/w Exotic Dancer has been very impreesive on his 2 recent wins at Cheltenham of late and looks to have a great e/w shout along with Racing Demon.