Kempton (AW) 6:00 Result

This looks a typical Kempton AW maiden full of unexposed types from strong yards, but Talamon stands out as the only runner with a rated form figure (OR 79) and a solid form line of 33 - meaning he's already been placed twice from his starts, including presumably a good run last time. George Boughey is in excellent form with progressive 2yos and Billy Loughnane knows the horse. A pedigree by Starspangledbanner out of a High Chaparral mare suggests he'll be suited by a mile as a 2yo maturing into the trip, and his consistent placed form (33) shows he handles this class and gets involved. Compared to the unraced newcomers from Godolphin (Votadini), Balding (Imperialism), Beckett (Sabulo) and Prescott (Kesari) - all interesting but complete unknowns - Talamon offers the most tangible evidence of ability already logged on the racecourse. Jinman (73 form) is the other proven type but his placings look slightly further back and Varian's string form isn't quite at Boughey's level currently. Given Talamon already has an official rating and has twice gone close, he looks the most reliable source of form in a race full of question marks, and with market support behind him (implied by his OR and experience), he rates the value banker even without prices given. His experience edge over several fancied newcomers should tell in a workmanlike mile maiden on Standard/Slow AW.