Kempton (AW) — Wednesday 1st April 2026

Kempton (AW) — Wednesday 1st April 2026

Standard to Slow on the Polytrack at Kempton tonight — that slight ease in the surface tends to suit horses that gallop through their race rather than those relying on a quick turnaround of foot. Three races to focus on, with a card that's light in numbers but heavy in interest. Andrew Balding's yard is flying at 7/28 over 14 days and Oisin Murphy is riding for them across the card — that combination alone is worth following closely.

7:30 — Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap (1m3f)

Five runners in this 3yo handicap but plenty of intrigue. The race shapes around the front two in the market and the form of both is worth unpicking.

Moment Of Light (Luke Morris / James Owen) gets the nod here at best odds of 2/1 (Bet365 / William Hill). His RPR of 91 is the highest in the field and crucially his recent form reads 266-1 — that win brings him here in confidence. James Owen's yard is ticking along at a respectable 6/42 over the past fortnight, not a barn on fire but not cold either. At a mile and three furlongs on Standard to Slow ground, you want a horse that stays and grinds, and Morris knows how to get a tune out of one around here. The 2/1 isn't generous but it's fair value in a race where the market has landed on the right horse.

Parisian Scholar (Jason Hart / Charlie Johnston) is the danger. Form of 1171-2 shows consistent involvement and Charlie Johnston's team is always respected at Kempton. However, the yard is cold — 1/20 in the last 14 days is a worrying stat and Hart doesn't carry the same track record as Morris on this surface. Swerve at 3/1.

Starship Trooper Each-Way (Oisin Murphy / Andrew Balding) is the one worth siding with each-way at 5/1 (Bet365 / William Hill). Balding's yard is in searing form at 7/28 and Murphy is the retained rider. Limited form (92-3) but the step up in trip to 1m3f looks a logical move for a horse with an RPR of 82 that's been finding things happening too quickly over shorter. Bookmakers are offering 2 places at 1/4 odds — at 5/1, that's a viable each-way punt with Balding and Murphy combining.

5:30 — Virgin Bet Maiden Fillies' Stakes (7f)

An 8-runner fillies' maiden with Blue Birdie a non-runner, leaving seven to go. This race has a fairly obvious structure around it.

Nanoscience (Oisin Murphy / Andrew Balding) is the selection at 15/8 (Bet365 / PricedUp Bet). The Balding-Murphy combination again — and this time they're going for a win. Her form of 453 shows she's been knocking on the door in maidens without quite getting her head down, but the RPR of 73 is by some distance the strongest figure in this field and her Topspeed reading of 27 shows she's produced a time figure. Seven furlongs on this surface should suit. She's raced enough to know what she's doing and Murphy will have her settled just off the pace and hitting the line well.

Music Academy (Rossa Ryan / Ralph Beckett) is vying for favouritism and the Beckett yard's big-race pedigree commands respect — but 0/6 in the last 14 days tells you the stable isn't in the form of its life right now. One run showing an RPR of just 30 after finishing ninth on debut doesn't inspire confidence. The 3/1 looks short.

Lightkiss (Billy Loughnane / George Boughey) is unraced so we're flying blind, but Boughey only sends debutants to the track when he feels they're ready and Loughnane is in high demand for a reason. She's worth keeping onside at 11/2 in the frame, but Nanoscience's experience edge wins out here.

6:30 — Virgin Bet Restricted Novice Stakes (1m, 13 runners)

The biggest field of the night and the most interesting race on the card. Thirteen runners, 3 places each-way, and a fascinating clash between a short-priced favourite carrying the class edge and a well-touted Balding runner who showed plenty first time out.

Balzac (Hollie Doyle / Jane Chapple-Hyam) is odds-on at 11/10 and his RPR of 83 stands out clearly — but he's only run once, finished third, and Jane Chapple-Hyam's yard is 0/2 in the last fortnight. Odds-on on an AW novice with that level of evidence is a big ask. Doyle rides well here but you're being asked to take a short price on limited data.

Magic Trip Each-Way (Oisin Murphy / Andrew Balding) at 5/2 (Bet Victor / talkSPORT BET / Dragon Bet) is the angle. His form reads 18 — a win on debut followed by an eighth, suggesting the second run was perhaps an away day or unsuitable conditions. Back on a surface and trip that suits, with the Balding yard scorching hot at 7/28 and Murphy in the saddle, this horse is being pointed here with purpose. An RPR of 72 on limited evidence could understate his ability significantly. In a 13-runner field offering 3 places, the each-way case is strong even at 5/2.

Winding Stream (Billy Loughnane / Richard Hughes) won on debut and comes here on the back of that. The form of 1- reads cleanly and at 9/4 he's the main danger, but Magic Trip's yard momentum and the Murphy booking make the Balding runner marginally preferred. Back both if you want a saver.

Today's NAP