Analysis and trainer quotes for competitive Kempton handicap as Accidental Agent bids to end his career on a high

Course-and-distance winners make up half of this competitive 14-runner field, including the favourite Happy Hadeda, who swept from last to first to win comfortably after 322 days off the track in September. That was her second success from as many starts here after she landed a 6f novice at the course as a juvenile.

Considering the style of her victory, a 4lb rise could be lenient and she will have the benefit of fitness this time. The form has taken a couple of knocks however, as the second, third and fourth have all been comprehensively beaten since, with only the fifth going on to win a Southwell handicap.

Three-year-olds dominate the top half of the market and despite only finishing fourth when sent off favourite for his second handicap last time, Smart Hero deserves respect as that effort came against better opposition than this. He is down 1lb and his trainer James Tate is operating at a 27 per cent strike-rate.

The out-of-form Mr Baloo is now 1lb lower than his last winning mark, but arguably most interesting off the same perch is Newsreader. He won two novice events here towards the beginning of the year, was pitched into a decent race at Goodwood afterwards and can be forgiven his next start on soft ground at Doncaster.

His most recent fifth over a mile here last time hinted he could be nearing a return to form, having been dropped 7lb by the handicapper in three runs since May.

What they say

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Accidental Agent
This is his last run so it's going to be a bit emotional. Hopefully he can just run a nice race and go out on a high and enjoy himself. He's ten and we think he doesn't need to do any more. He's in great form and we're putting Charlie [Bishop] back on. He'll stay here for his retirement to be a lead horse for the babies at home.

William Muir, joint-trainer of Top Secret
We're drawn 14 of 14 which gives us a hard task. He loves the track and he's in good shape, so let's hope he can defy the draw. If he was drawn lower I'd really fancy him.

James Tate, trainer of Smart Hero
He won his maiden over six furlongs so we stuck to the trip at Yarmouth, but I actually thought he wasn't quite quick enough for that. I'm looking forward to going back to seven furlongs. He's a gelding now and I think this race should set up well for him and I'm very hopeful.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Happy Hadeda
We've always liked her. She didn't like the bad ground at Newmarket last year, so you can put a line through that. She didn't come back in until late and we thought she might be short of work last time but she wasn't. We're looking towards next season, but we're hopeful she can turn up in the same way she did last time.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Giant
We're putting cheekpieces on, so we'll see how we'll get on. He's very consistent, so the handicapper doesn't give him much leeway.

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