George & Burke Hoping For Winning Shuffle At Kempton

Some horses will try and book a final place on the ticket to Cheltenham this weekend with some decent prizes on offer across both days and in the feature race at Kempton it is hoped that a baron spell might be ended.

George and Burke ready to do a Shuffle

Double Shuffle came within a length of winning the King George last season and while he didn’t come as close this season the course and distance winner can appreciate the drop in class.

It’s been a while since Double Shuffle ran in a handicap and he was actually placed in this very Kempton feature a couple of seasons back.

Obviously the nine-year-old is more vulnerable to lighter weighted rivals today but he has ran well with big weights before and just looked a decent price at 8/1 in what isn’t the strongest field of all time.

There is a nice prize up for grabs here and if he could find his form back at a track where he seems to save his best for, Double Shuffle could well land the spoils for Tom George and Johnny Burke.

Good placing can reap rewards for Fahy
The Connolly’s Red Mills auction hurdle races have proved popular although the quicker than seasonal ground conditions have seen only eight declared for today’s maiden at Fairyhouse.

The idea is to give smaller connections a chance to avoid the expensive purchases from the big yards and Pat Fahy could have found a good opportunity for bumper winner Tens Or Better.

Not only does Fahy avoid Willie Mullins but he has also managed to get the services of his jockey Paul Townend for the six-year-old who was fourth at Naas last time out and looks to have every chance here.

Fahy still has a Mullins to beat with Tom training Chavi Artist who was put in at odds on favourite last night having finished third on his last two outings.

However, the selection doesn’t carry a bumper penalty and does get the mares allowance so ticks a lot of boxes here and is related to some hurdle winners.

Alpha on song
Alpha Des Obeaux seems to be somewhat rejuvenated this season and almost won the Thyestes Chase at Gowran last month under top weight.

Stepping up in trip again and back in graded company, Gordon Elliott’s charge has been in good enough form this season to suggest that he can give away weight to Jessica Harrington’s Magic Of Light and hold off seasonal debutant Rathvinden.

BoyleSports currently go 33/1 about Alpha Des Obeaux for the Grand National at Aintree and it will be interesting to see if he is the same price this evening if winning here. The former Mouse Morris inmate is a classy sort on his day and is still only a nine-year-old.

Recommended Bets:
Tens Or Better (3/1) – 1.40 Fairyhouse
Double Shuffle (9/1) – 3.35 Kempton
Alpha Des Obeaux (9/4) – 4.00 Fairyhouse