Kempton best bets: Java Point looks strong, Statuario interesting each-way shout after long lay-off

15:55 Kempton: Watch Unibet Racing Postcast Each Thursday Handicap Chase (3 miles)

Eight runners line up for this testing three-mile trip, and the Henry Oliver-trained Java Point appears to tick all the right boxes in terms of what might be expected from the potential winner, and early indications are that punters and bookies agree.

Suggested best bet: Java Point to win the 15:55 at Kempton

Since moving from Tom George’s yard last summer, a promising stable debut at Newbury in December (fourth of eight) proved to be the stepping stone towards a commanding performance at Sandown last month, when the result was never in doubt once he took control two out, eventually winning more comfortably than the margin suggests after easing down towards the line.

Harry Cobden appears to be a significant booking to replace his usual rider, and Planet Sport Bet’s racing ambassador will be keen to erase the memory of a largely disappointing Festival week that saw him land an unexpected win aboard 25/1 shot Monmiral, but all of his other dozen rides, many of them well fancied, fell short of the mark.

WATCH: Harry Cobden previews his Kempton rides on his Planet Sport Bet blog

Cobden can gain some comfort from going into today still 12 wins clear at the top of the champion jockey table, and ironically it is the ride of his closest rival, Sean Bowen, who might be flying under the radar to pose a threat in this race.

The Peter Bowen-trained Statuario comes into  this as something of an unknown quantity with much depending on how the nine-year-old responds to his first appearance in over 18 months.

Planet Sport Bet Daily Special: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Cap Du Nord finishes in the first 3 places, get a £5 Free Bet

The summer of 2022 saw him enjoy impressive figures of 222311, with both of those last two successes up in Perth, so it will be interesting to see if he can hit the ground running on his return to action, or if this will be something of a pipe-opener after such a long break

It’s also worth noting that those summer runs were on much better ground than he can expect to find after a wet spring at Kempton, so this first attempt over three miles will be uncharted territory on several levels.

That said, he has attracted the attention of Tipstrr's each-way specialists, who have also shown some interest in top-weighted Slipway and bottom weight Cap Du Nord.

Each-way punt: Statuario in the 15:55 at Kempton

• Tip advised by Each Way Target Tips on Tipstrr

 

READ MORE: Saturday ITV racing tips: Best bets for Kempton and Uttoxeter on March 16