Kokbastau (20:30 Kempton — Class 3 Handicap, 1m 3f 219y AW)
A three-year-old bay colt by Wootton Bassett, trained by Roger Varian and partnered tonight by Cieren Fallon — one of the sharpest jockeys in the business on the AW. Kokbastau has shown plenty of promise across his three starts, most recently winning a Class 3 novice at Southwell on 27 July at 11/4, beating Turret by a neck on the all-weather to get off the mark. He makes his handicap debut tonight off a mark of 88 — a rating connections clearly believe underestimates him.
Varian’s operation is in solid form and Kempton’s Polytrack over this trip suits a horse who acts on the AW. In a 12-runner Class 3 handicap debut there are unknowns, but the market at 6/5 tells you the stable confidence is considerable.
Verdict: Back to win at 6/5 — Varian stable confidence evident in the market, AW form franked, and handicap debut off a mark that looks workable. 🏇
