Blues the colour at Kempton.

Byline: By ARGUS 

THERE are some quality animals on show at Kempton but none more so than I'msingingtheblues, who takes his chance in the kempton.co.uk Graduation Chase.

Owned by John Hales, the six-year-old looked like he had the makings of being a top hurdler last season when winning a Grade Two event at the Paddy Power meeting.

But, for one reason or another, he never quite reproduced those heights.

While never disgraced, he became slightly disappointing.

It was easy to forget his exploits over hurdles, though, when he made a startling debut over the larger obstacles at Kempton last month.

I'msingingtheblues looked an absolute natural, jumping for fun at the head of affairs and coming home unchallenged.

This will be a lot tougher, but it will be disappointing if Paul Nicholls' charge is beaten.

The Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Qualifier may also give off some Festival clues but Middleton Dene is the one to side with the way Nicky Richards has started the season.

The six-year-old has to shoulder top weight but was not disgraced against some of the best novices last term.

Sue Smith's Mr Strachan was an expensive failure at Cheltenham and Aintree last season after falling when sent off favourite for the Jewson and running poorly at the Grand National meeting.

He reappears in the Anne Duchess of Westminster Memorial Handicap Chase at Bangor, though, and is taken to get back on the winning trail.

Clive Brittain's Intabih is taking a leap in class in the Wolverhampton Holiday Inn Handicap but he is in excellent formas he seeks a hat-trick.

Two placed efforts at Great Leighs were quickly followed by a course-and-distance win at Dunstall Park, scoring in striking style in what was a weak event.