There looked some doubt as to whether racing on the new track at Kempton would go ahead on Saturday as, just before racing was due to take place, several stones were found lying on the new Polytrack surface, writes Richard Young.

However the problem was soon alleviated and, as with the trail races and the private gallop at the course earlier in the month, the new surface received plenty of praise from racing's professionals.

The course seems a very fair one with minimal kickback. Horses should be able to make all, race prominently or use hold up tactics.

One area at the course which it could pay to exploit is the draw over five furlongs. Given the runners are on a right-handed turn almost throughout, and there is a short run-in, those high drawn prominent racers should have a big edge.

With this in mind the well-handicapped Desert Lord, who is having his first run for Kevin Ryan and looks ideally berthed in stall 12, is fancied to go well in the kempton.co.uk Handicap over the minimum trip at the course's second all-weather meeting this afternoon.

Although not the most consistent when with Alan Berry, the switch to the bang in-form Ryan stable will be in his favour and he has plenty of early toe to take advantage of his stalls position.

In the opening Panoramic Bar And Restaurant Maiden Auction Stakes over the same trip, the one to be on is Urban Warrior, who has had the benefit of a promising previous run and is drawn hard up against the inside rail.

Gay Kellaway picked up previous dual winner Fajr for 27,000gns and can gain instant reward on her investment by taking the Kempton For Weddings Handicap over a mile.

Although up 7lb for his latest success at Lingfield, he's a strong sort physically who looks capable of making further progress and Micky Fenton is back in the saddle.

Wise Owl, who returned to winning ways when successful over the extended two miles at Wolverhampton last time, should go well in an ordinary-looking Kempton For Exhibitions Handicap.

At Wolverhampton's Banded meeting the pick on a modest card could be Jalouhar, who is having his first run for the in-form John Best, in the Ringside Suite 700 Theatre Style Conference Banded Stakes. Miss Glory Be can go one better in the To Sponsor A Race Call 0870 220 2442 Banded Stakes over the extended mile.

Over the sticks at Plumpton Four For A Laugh is the type to have further improvement in him in the Lastminutebet Joe The Cap From Carshalton Memorial Novices Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs.

From the in-form Alan King stable, the seven-year-old showed more than enough on his hurdle debut on good ground at Ludlow to suggest he can win a race of this nature.

Gary Moore is also among the winners at present and Flaming Weapon will be hard to beat in the Plant Movements Juvenile Novices Hurdle over two miles.

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