6.10 Kempton: the one race you cannot miss on Wednesday

6.10 Kempton
British Stallion Studs EBF Hyde Stakes (Listed Race) | AW Championships Fast-Track Qualifier | 3yo+ | 1m | RTV

Why is it interesting?

A highly competitive Listed all-weather contest, in which the Roger Varian-trained Khuzaam looks to follow up his recent course-and-distance success under Jim Crowley.

The three-year-old has recorded two wins, both of which have come at Kempton, from five career starts since making his debut at Lingfield exactly a year ago.

Among Khuzaam's rivals is the Dean Ivory-trained Librisa Breeze, who steps up to a mile for the first time since running in the Royal Hunt Cup in June 2016.

Librisa Breeze storms home to win the Champions Sprint StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The seven-year-old won the Group 1 Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot in 2017 but has yet to get his head in front in eight starts since, with his best effort coming when second in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury in August.

Ivory also saddles last year's winner Flaming Spear, who is aiming to become the first dual winner of the Hyde Stakes following his narrow victory over Hathal 12 months ago.

Another runner cut from top-level cloth is 2018 Queen Anne winner Accidental Agent, who is looking to finish this year on a high after going winless and refusing to race at Royal Ascot in June.

Richard Hannon sends two in an attempt to snare the £25,520 first prize, with the in-form War Glory looking the first-string ahead of Oh This Is Us.

The winner gains an automatic berth in the £150,000 All-Weather Mile Championship at Lingfield Park on April 10.

What do the stats say?

Flaming Spear, Via Serendipity, Lush Life, Dandhu, Khuzaam and Set Piece all bring 100 per cent Kempton records into the race. Librisa Breeze, Preening and Accidental Agent have all won half of their starts at the course.

Preening's trainer, James Fanshawe, is in excellent form, boasting a 40 per cent strike-rate, while Roger Varian has a 24 per cent-strike rate at Kempton in 2019.

What do the trainers say?

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Accidental Agent
Accidental Agent is in good form, we have been pleased with his preparation and he ran well at Newmarket on his latest start. He has won at Kempton before, so we know he likes and handles the track. if he jumps off with the others then hopefully he has a good chance. If he goes well in this event we might consider bringing him back for the All-Weather Championships Finals.

Accidental Agent: former Group 1 winner who looks to notch his first win this yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Roger Varian, trainer of Khuzaam
Obviously we've been very happy to get him back on track with a second and win. He's a great, big horse who has taken his time and you could argue that, even though he was impressive last time, he still looked like a horse learning on the job. The intention always was the keep him going, his work has been good at home and we'll see how he fares in better company.

What do our tipsters say?

He is taking a big step up in grade but the Roger Varian-trained Khuzaam could well be up to the task having bolted up in a course-and-distance handicap last time out. All-weather specialist Via Serendipity defied top weight in a course-and-distance handicap last time out and is feared most, ahead of Librisa Breeze, but cases can also be made for Oh This Is Us, War Glory, Preening and last year's winner Flaming Spear in an open race.
Ben Hutton

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