Racing makes a welcome return to Kenilworth this Saturday, and the top liner this weekend will be the Listed Woolavington Handicap.
Run over 2400m, the Woolavington often provides pointers to future runners for the Gr2 JandB Urban Honey Stayers on Met day, and this year’s field includes the 2016 Honey Stayers winner Ovidio (Danehill Dancer).

From the Justin Snaith yard (who hold a strong hand here), Ovidio is the highest rated horse in this race, sporting a merit rating of 105. The relatively lightly raced six-year-old is, however, making his first racetrack appearance since finishing a close up fourth in the Gr2 Gold Cup at the end of July. Ovidio’s task is not made any easier either by the fact that he will have to lug 62 kgs over the 2400m trip but is a class act and should run well.

Another former JandB Urban Honey Stayers winner entered in Saturday’s race is Kingston Mines (Archipenko), who finished third to Ovidio in this year’s race having won the Stayers in 2015.

Well beaten when unplaced in the Gold Cup behind Enaad (High Chaparral), Kingston Mines will be making his first start since July and will have to concede weight to all but Ovidio. He will also be having his first start for new trainer Brett Crawford. While Kingston Mines does appear to have a stiff task, he is a talented stayer and does hail from a bang in-form yard.

Francia (Dynasty) is one of two fillies in the race and will be bidding to build on her recent Listed Settlers Trophy win. However, she is now 3kgs worse off at the weights with My World (Ideal World) –who should turn the tables if the pair repeat their 1-3 finish in the Settlers Trophy.
Interestingly, stable jockey Grant Van Niekerk is on Three Balloons (Judpot) and the latter will surely have come on from his pipe opener over 1200m. With just 52kgs on his back, Three Balloons must have a chance here.

The Mike Stewart runner Cigar Boy (Casey Tibbs) has just 52 kgs on his back here and was a good second to subsequent Settlers Trophy runner up Captain Splendid (Captain Al) recently, which must bring him into the reckoning.

Hilaria (Rebel King) was beaten in a novice plate last time out and looks outclassed here.