Talking Horses: Forward Plan is the best advice for punters at Kempton

The three-mile handicap chase which is the feature event on Kempton’s card on Saturday is now on to its seventh sponsor since the Racing Post pulled out in 2012, but while its name has changed on an almost annual basis, it has retained its status as one of the key events before the big handicaps at both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals and the latest renewal is typically competitive.

A dozen runners are due to go to post and all 12 were priced between 11-2 and 20-1 on Friday afternoon, with Flegmatik, whose last three wins were all at this track, vying for favouritism with two runners from Anthony Honeyball’s stable in Blackjack Magic (11-2) and Forward Plan (7-1).

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Blackjack Magic has gone close on his last two starts but made a significant jumping error late on in both, and while Sam Twiston-Davies takes over in the saddle on Saturday, that habit remains a concern.

Flegmatik won well in a weaker contest last time but is now on a career-high mark so the best option could be to side with Forward Plan (3.37) and Ben Godfrey’s 3lb claim. The pairing failed by just a nose to chase down Annual Invictus in the Great Yorkshire Chase last time after struggling for a clear run in the straight, and the eight-year-old still has scope for progress on what will be just his ninth start over fences.

Kempton 1.15 Sea Invasion was a close fourth in a strong novice at this track on Boxing Day and could be on a fair mark for his handicap debut.

Newcastle 1.38 Useful claimer Patrick Wadge is poised to complete a hat-trick on the improving Netywell.

Kempton 1.50 The last major juvenile hurdle before Cheltenham and Captain Marvellous, an easy winner in a strong time over track-and-trip in November, could outrun odds of around 8-1.

Newcastle 2.08 Anglers Crag has improved with every run for Brian Ellison and can complete the four-timer here.

Kempton 2.27 Several of the market leaders were underwhelming last time out so the unbeaten Arclight may take the step up in class in her stride.

Newcastle 1.05 Big John Wayne 1.38 Netywell 2.08 Anglers Crag 2.50 From The Clouds 3.27 The Edgar Wallace 4.00 I Have A Voice 4.35 Chumlee

Kempton 1.15 Sea Invasion 1.50 Captain Marvellous (nap) 2.27 Arclight 3.00 Panjari 3.37 Forward Plan (nb) 4.10 Pepe Le Moko 4.45 Roman Roy

Chepstow 1.23 Idefix De Ciergues 1.58 Zambezi Fix 2.33 Walkinthewoods 3.08 Minella Blueway 3.43 Prince Quali 4.18 Twilight Glory 4.53 Brave Ruler

Southwell 2.45 Clarendon House 3.20 Lord North 3.55 Pearl Abbey 4.30 Brunello Breeze 5.05 Palace Boy 5.35 Memories Maker 6.05 Mr Swivell 6.35 Benavente

Chelmsford 5.20 Jungle Mac 5.50 Back Tomorrow 6.20 Clipsham La Habana 6.50 Night Of Desire 7.20 Remarkable Force7.50 H Key Lails

8.20 Boom Boom Pow

Southwell 2.45 Clarendon House, second in a Group Two at Meydan last month, stands out in this company.

Kempton 3.00 Cheekpieces seemed to coax further improvement from Panjari last time and Paul Nicholls’s runner could be overpriced at around 6-1.

Southwell 3.20 A new track, trip and surface for the Winter Derby but last year’s winner, Lord North, has more than enough quality to cope.