Smart Play generated by ChatGPT:
➡️ Ancient Wisdom – WIN
➡️ Dubai Honour – saver
Pace & Draw Angles
- Likely pace: Even to steady. Shader is the natural pace influence if allowed to stride on; Dubai Honour and Ancient Wisdom are happier tracking rather than forcing it. No obvious burn-up.
- Draw: Largely irrelevant with this small field over 12f at Kempton. Inside draw not a major advantage here.
Race Overview
A tight, classy Listed contest centred around three Group-class horses. The key question: does the race become tactical, and if so, who benefits most?
Strongest Contenders
Dubai Honour – Proven
Score: 8.5/10
- RPR 122 | TS 104 | OR 118
- Beat Shader fair and square at Southwell 19 days ago conceding 4lb; same terms again.
- Multiple Group 1 placings and wins overseas; very solid, reliable profile.
- Handles Polytrack, stays strongly, and tactically versatile.
- Slight question: does he get an easy enough tempo to deploy his turn of foot?
Verdict: Sets the form standard. If this turns into a controlled, attritional race, he’s the one they all have to beat.
Shader (p) – Progressive
Score: 8/10
- RPR 120 | TS 103 | OR 110
- Rapid improver this autumn; visually dominant C&D Listed win two starts back.
- Didn’t look entirely comfortable making the running at Southwell last time.
- Strong Kempton record (2-from-2 C&D); Polytrack clearly a plus.
- Gosden/K. Keane combo in flying form.
Verdict: Big danger if ridden with a shade more restraint. Still improving and very well suited to conditions.
Ancient Wisdom (P) – Promising / Unexposed on AW
Score: 8.5/10
- RPR 122 | OR 114 | TS not recorded on AW
- Group 1 winner at two; crucially unpenalised here.
- Consistent high-level placed form in 2025 without landing a blow.
- First try on Polytrack but pedigree screams AW (siblings won on it).
- Appleby has targeted this race before (Rebel’s Romance, 2023).
Verdict: Fascinating runner. If he takes to the surface, he could easily be the best-handicapped horse in the race.
Others
Claymore
Score: 3.5/10
- Admirable overseas efforts but this is a major jump in class.
- Needs a career-best by a wide margin.
Lion City
Score: 1/10
- NH background, no Flat form at this level.
- Completely outclassed.
Runner Scores Summary
- Dubai Honour – 8.5/10
- Ancient Wisdom – 8.5/10
- Shader – 8/10
- Claymore – 3.5/10
- Lion City – 1/10
Private Tissue (My Odds)
- Dubai Honour – 7/4
- Ancient Wisdom – 9/4
- Shader – 5/2
- Claymore – 40/1
- Lion City – 300/1
(Current market slightly overvalues Dubai Honour and underestimates Ancient Wisdom’s upside.)
Smart Play – Pro Punter View
Top Win Bet: Ancient Wisdom
- Unpenalised, proven Group ability, and strong AW pedigree.
- This race has been a launchpad for Appleby stayers before.
Saver / Main Danger: Dubai Honour
- Rock-solid benchmark; saver advised if playing win-only.
No each-way angles (5-runner field).
Final Take
This is a chess match, not a war. If Shader goes forward too aggressively again, it sets things up for the closers. Ancient Wisdom looks the one with the most to gain from this exact setup and could finally convert elite placed form into a win.
Market watch advised, especially close to the off.
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