Boothill aiming for Kempton clear round

Harry Fry will give Boothill the opportunity to make it third time lucky in the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase at Kempton on Saturday.

Winner of the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase over the course and distance in 2022, the 10-year-old has returned to the Sunbury venue to contest this Grade Two prize in each of the past two seasons, but has fallen five fences from home on both occasions.

His recent form figures do not inspire much confidence, with Boothill pulled up under a big weight on his reappearance in a valuable handicap at Ascot before finishing a tailed off last of five in the Tingle Creek at Sandown earlier this month.

Fry’s stable stalwart will revert to handicap company on day two of Kempton’s Christmas meeting, but the Dorset-based trainer admits he will head to Kempton more in hope than expectation.

He said: “Obviously he has left a little bit to be desired so far this season and this race hasn’t exactly gone to plan for us in the past, so I don’t know whether we’re being brave or silly in trying to make it third time lucky!

“He’s not getting any younger and the handicapper has dropped him. Whether he’s dropped him enough yet I don’t know, but we’re probably working towards the spring when hopefully we’ll get his favoured good, spring ground, which he definitely performs best on.

“He’ll take his chance on Saturday and given what’s happened previously, I think a completion would be an accomplishment going off past years.”

Boothill is one of seven entries for the Desert Orchid Chase with the weights set to be headed by the Jane Williams-trained Saint Segal, who was an impressive winner on his latest appearance at Kelso.

Dan Skelton’s Haldon Gold Cup hero Thistle Ask is a major player, while Fergal O’Brien could saddle recent Newbury scorer Ryan’s Rocket.

Calgary Tiger, Gabriel’s Getaway and Sans Bruit complete the potential field.

The Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase has attracted six contenders, with the Sam Thomas-trained Lump Sum setting the standard on ratings after finishing third behind the top-class Lulamba in Sandown’s Henry VIII Novices’ Chase.

Olly Murphy’s Alnilam, who was pulled up in the Grade One contest, is also in the mix for this Grade Two, while Gary and Josh Moore’s Hansard could have his sights raised after beating two stablemates convincingly at Lingfield.

Ben Pauling’s progressive four-year-old Mambonumberfive, Dan Skelton’s Mirabad and Shengai Enki from Barry Brennan’s yard are the other entries.