Kempton (AW) 8:00 Result

Battle Hymn carries the top weight but for good reason - his form figures 403 show he's progressive and clearly capable at this level, with a recent third and a win in his sequence. He holds the highest OR (60, joint with Birthday Angel) among a fairly weak field of moderate handicappers, and David Simcock's yard is competent with lightly-raced sorts. Luke Morris riding suggests they mean business. The 3yo is likely still improving having had limited starts, and stepping up in trip to 1m3f looks sensible given he was competitive at shorter distances already. Tinsel is the alternative but his last-6 form (61-494) shows more inconsistency, and Birthday Angel is only lightly progressive but has had a big layoff (95 days) which introduces uncertainty. Most of the rest of this Class 6 field look moderate/held together on ability, with several out-and-out plodders showing 444250, 667, 089673 type profiles - workmanlike but not top of the class. Battle Hymn looks the one with most upward trajectory and a solid recent third suggests he's fit and ready to go one better. I'll take him as the most solid contender in a genuinely competitive but modest field.