AT Kempton Park this evening there is a fascinating 12f maiden where the top class hurdler Montbazon makes his debut on the level for Alan King.

He was a very good Bumper horse early on in his career, finishing runner up at Aintree’s National meeting, and it will be interesting what the market makes of his chances tonight.

The selection must, however, be Desert Snow (6.10) after her excellent second to Sultanina at Salisbury last month form that has been franked by the winner following up in the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock last weekend.

This step up in trip is not sure to suit on breeding but these Kempton maidens are rarely a test of stamina and it would be disappointing for connections if she didn’t run a big race this evening.

The quaintly named Shagah (6.45) cost connections 280,000 Euros when bought from Goffs in Ireland last October and the filly makes her debut in the 6f juvenile fillies’ maiden with Frankie Dettori in the saddle for Richard Hannon.

Those with experience look beatable although both Falling Petals and Golden Zephyr will break their maiden although, hopefully, not this evening.

In the 2m Handicap a chance is taken on Opera Buff (7.55) returning to the all-weather off a 4lb lower mark having been running well in defeat on soft ground of late.

The 5-y-o has only won one of 23 career starts but is drawn well, has run well on polytrack previously and James Doyle, who was in the plate for his sole success at Salisbury back in October, is back in the plate.

In the finale Don’t Stare (9.00) is entitled to come on for his reappearance when third over today’s C&D last month.

He will have to improve running off the same mark but he has only had four career starts to date, is well drawn and represents the yard of James Fanshawe whose string remain in form.

At Lingfield the filly Sweeping Up (3.10) can land her maiden at the fourth time of asking having finished runner up over today’s 12f trip at Kempton last month.

That was her first start since October and she is certainly bred to win her fair share of races. Mickael Barzalona replaces Jimmy Fortune in the saddle.