Quantitativeeasing to storm Kempton field

The favourite is Wyck Hill and it is easy to understand why the bookies have this progressive nine-year-old at a relatively short price for such a competitive event.

His Ascot win over Katenko last time out has been cemented in no uncertain terms by the runner-up that day and he should be in the thick of things granted a clear round of jumping tomorrow afternoon.

However I think there could be a spot of value lurking among the outsiders here in the form of Quantitativeeasing.

Nicky Henderson’s apparent second string — stable jockey Barry Geraghty is on board Roberto Goldback — is finally being shown some slack by the assessor and is back down to a mark of 147, only two pounds higher than when winning the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

True, he hasn’t shown much since then, but I think the three miles around this sharp track will suit and he is preferred to the favourite and top weight What A Friend.

Earlier on it will be interesting to see how the stable’s Courtesy Call gets on when he makes his timber-topping debut in the Grade Two Adonis Hurdle, the final big Triumph Hurdle trial due off at 2.05.

However I suspect he is going to have to be something pretty special to beat the likes of Lac Fontana and L’Unique, the last named on a hat-trick and one that could be overpriced in the betting.

There is a brilliant card on the all-weather at Lingfield Park with the Winter Derby Trial Stakes, a Listed race over a mile and two furlongs at 3.05, the highlight.

If he is anywhere near fit enough to do himself justice then surely the Marco Botti-trained Planteur will make a good account of himself in this field.

Emerald Wilderness continues to run well at his favourite track, but probably won’t have the class to trouble the selection.

Lujeanie can swoop to conquer from the rear of the pack to land the closing event at 4.50, while I fancy a huge run from Piscean for Tom Keddy in the Listed sprint at 2.30 and he just gets the nod over the improving Farmleigh House.

In the stamina-sapping Eider Chase at Newcastle (2.55), Chac du Cadran has claims after his impressive success last time out, but I just wonder if King Fontaine may run a huge race at a massive price here if getting his jumping together.

There is no doubt he is well handicapped and just needs to get into a rhythm to step up here.