Kempton free racing tips: Third time lucky for course winner after two close-up near misses

18:55 Kempton: North Farm Stud Handicap (1 mile)

Al Rufaa ran a lot better than his finishing position suggests at Haydock last time out, when he was in the process of winding up his challenge when he was badly hampered approaching the final furlong, and then again on the run-in.

He is very likely still in good form following his two previous efforts, which saw him run a never-nearer second of 12 (beaten a short head) today’s course and distance and was runner-up again14 (beaten a neck) in a higher-graded Class 3 over a mile at Newcastle.

That latest all-weather near-miss came in a handicap which featured seven runners rated 85+ which compares very favourably with today’s contest, which features just two runners rated above 84.

Best Bet : Al Rufaa in the 18:55 at Kempton

Having hit the front inside the final furlong at Newcastle, Al Rufaa was agonisingly headed in the final strides by a winner (Tolstoy) who had landed an 18-runner Class 3 just two runs earlier and who was still very much unexposed over a mile.

Al Rufaa was unfortunate to bump into him, but he still pulled fully two lengths clear of the other 12 runners, so he would have won a Class 3 over this trip by a very comfortable margin but for the presence of Tolstoy.

On that evidence, Al Rufaa looks a good bet back on this sharper circuit from a handy stall 5 draw and with Richard Kingscote, who rode him to within a short-head of winning over this trip on his previous outing, back in the saddle for the first time since.

Of the others, the lightly-raced three-year-old, Classic Encounter, looks interesting on this second start for George Boughey.

He took the eye when finishing very nicely from a long way off the pace at Newcastle on his stable debut last month, following his transfer from the Godolphin operation.

He just failed to win an 11f maiden at this venue on the last of his three runs for Charlie Appleby, so he is another who will enjoy a strong pace over a mile.

The 3yo should come on a good deal for his recent stable debut, which was his first run for 235 days, and he looks primed for a big run on this handicap debut with Billy Loughnane taking over from the claimer who rode him at Newcastle.

Next Best Bet: Classic Encounter in the 18:55 at Kempton

• Preview and tips provided Steve Jones, who runs CD Systems Daily Bargain on Tipstrr