Kyhber Kim!

His record after a 90+ day break over hurdles reads 1212, so I'd suggest he's probably at his best when fresh. NTD usually has his horses ready FTO too. Looks like a good price to me. Binocular seems to need a really good pace nowadays. Starluck is obviously a danger at Kempton, but I think I'd rather be with KK.

Barizan and Overturn will ensure the pace is strong. Binocular, Khyber, Starluck, Oscar Whiskey, Escort'Men and Sanctuaire waiting in behind. Should be a great race.

Agree he is best fresh and also agree he is the bet here if it is on.

Escotmen is an interesting contender. He won a G2 novice race at Kempton.

Hoping Bino does the business though so probably a no bet race for me

Bobby dazzler wrote the following about kyber on his thread
'I don't think Kempton will be an issue, my only concern is that he is having a lot of work thrown at him in a short space of time to get him there. That said he looked superb when I saw him on the gallops a fortnight ago, and is still working really well. I would expect a bold show'.


Someone mentioned alan lee was very positive about the kybers chances on ATR on sunday (no idea who that is, grahams brother? lol).

Also on the bobby dazzler thread someone said about concerns about the horse going right handed.

For me, i really don't see why binocular is favourite going on his form generally anytime before march.
I must admit that it was noticed that McCoy gave it a very easy ride at newbury, hardly slapping it, if atall in the fighting fifth.
It just depends weather they want to win the race.
Binocular and starluck got very close last season.

Can't wait for what should be a cracking race!

Let's hope they get the go ahead on Monday as not sure there would be another chance unless they can switch to Sandown. BD indicated they've had a compressed preparation so it does look like he had a setback. He's not exactly an inexperienced horse but I can't find any form on a track like Kempton so I'll pass him over reluctantly as I do like the horse. If he could win a Grade 1 around Kempton first time out we'd have a new CH favourite for sure.

He wouldn't be CH favourite unless he won at a canter (Peddlers Cross has already beat these two and he's available at 13/2). Its the best looking field for the CH I can remember this year. Lets hope they don't ruin races like this by introducing a middle distance grade 1 hurdle race at Cheltenham. They seem to like to add one new race each year.

Agreed. When you look at last year's race connections of a lot of the horses that finished behind the front two would probably be tempted by an intermediate race if there was one. Having said that I have a different view about the chasers. I love to see the specialist intermediate chasers eg. Dublin Flyer and Fondmort. Perhaps there are enough good chasers around for three distance categories. I don't believe it's the same with hurdlers. I think we already have a bit of dilution with the mares' race as there is no strength in depth in that department and it's a shame we don't see the likes of Quevega in the CH rather than taking easy pickings. Would Flakey Dove have won her Champion if there had been a mares' race?

Englandbarnes, The Lee in question is a member of the group that own amber brook and other horses in the yellow and red colours trained by NTD so I reckon his reason to be confident may be justified.

  Khyber Kim for me, excited by the idea there may be improvement in him given that he looked a reformed character last season in being able to string successive successes/great performances together

Cheers IC superstar.

With a couple more weeks training i am even more hopeful kyhber kim will be even better!

Backed Khyber Kim today at 7/2 with the rain on the way and with him being so good fresh.

Binocular definitely needs decent ground to be at his best and its also arguable that he is being trained for one race and one race only.

Starluck would also prefer better ground as the last time he encountered soft ground, he was run out of it by Mr Thriller despite travelling like a dream - as usual.

Looking through Overturns form suggests that the trainer probably thinks better ground suits, with him being campaigned through the summer.

Escortmen will appreciate a soft surface and is the ew play but has a lot to find with the principles.  Made hard work of winning fto this season and am not sure the form of that race is great, although Olofi has performed ok since.

The rest look like non runners (Santuaire/Barizan/Oscar Whisky) and not good enough (Bocamix).

Forecast Khyber Kim to beat Escortmen

Kyber Kim all the way for me have a £100 on him @ 4/1 - He is well over priced and as per the last post the ground will not suit the other two who head the market - Rock on KK!

Agreed, am liking him more and more and thinking about going in again now the course have changed the description.  Nicholls not particularly bullish regarding Escortmen and I simply cannot have the others on soft ground, how Starluck is a shorter price than KK on this ground I do not know!