Thoughts on Av a Word at Kempton

Av a Word heads to Kempton this afternoon (Friday 6th of January) for the 2:30. Josephine Gordon will ride the three year old in the mile handicap. Av a Word was gelded following his third run as he lacked focus in his races. We have also put some cheek pieces on to keep him concentrating. He has grown and strengthened since that run, but will improve physically as the year goes on quite a bit. He will come on for the run from a fitness perspective as we had been looking for something later in the month as a target initially. However, he is quite laid back at home and still a bit green so we felt that a run would do more to teach him than to keep galloping him at home. He doesn’t have the best of the draws. The extra distance should suit and he may well even want a bit further down the line. His best run to date was on the all weather so that is a help. He should take a step forward on his form to date.

The race is fairly open and with plenty of lightly race three year olds, who are all still learning the game and progress from any number of them would no surprise. Of those that have run in nurseries Still Waiting and Dragon Dream have shown the best recent form to and set the standard on that basis, Too Many Shots can’t be ruled out as he probably found 10 furlongs too far last time and wasn’t disgraced in slightly better races previously. Viola Park had been showing improvement prior to a disaster on the Fibresand last time out and has similar form and may well contend back on the polytrack. Beauchamp Opal had a bit of a disappointment on the Fibresand but her prior maiden run is probably good enough to beat the more exposed horses.

Av a Word last summer

 

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