Purple Patch For Fox At Kempton

Rivals Publishing
November 5, 2019 10:15 am

Four-Year-Old Ready To Strike Again At Favourite Course

Jimmy Fox has 10 horses at his Wiltshire yard and one that is carrying the flag with success is PURPLE PADDY who goes in the first at Kempton today.

The gelding came back from 70 days off the track to win over today’s course and distance two weeks ago, and can repeat the feat this evening.

He raced off a mark of 48 that day and is up 4lbs today but apprentice Mark Crehan (19 wins from 155 rides, a nice 12%) takes off 7lb and the gelding can go in again.

In any case, it was the manner of his win last time, where he broke slowly, was against the rails throughout and then overcame blocking to win going away at the end, that suggests another win is likely.

The son of Swiss Spirit also loves Kempton.

He has raced here seven times and his figures read 12,7,10,1,3,2 and 1, reinforcing the trend of the progeny of his sire who win at a 14% success rate.

The going is the now the Kempton usual of standard to slow so that won’t be a problem and Crehan is one from two here when put up by Fox.

Purple Paddy is top on BTO regular and speed figures, followed by SOLVEIG’S SONG whose last win was over course and distance – but that was over a year ago.

FOUR MILE BRIDGE is probably the biggest threat and has been backed possibly on the belief that a first-time visor will do the trick.

GENEVA SPUR has also attracted money and is up in trip but she has a better pedigree than form.

All looks right for Purple Paddy and he is easy to spot – Crehan is in purple silks! At the 3/1 with a good few bookies and on the exchanges he’s the bet.

G Lees