My selections
Oh to be at Kempton tomorrow (or Huntingdon would be very acceptable). Never mind for the pointing season starts soon. But here, as a hostage to fortune are my selections:
1240 Pertemps Novices Hurdle (2m): Lustral de Seuil, did well in France, not at all exposed, and Mick Fitzgerald on top
110 Network Design Feltham Novices Chase (3m): Strong Flow, who might have been entered for the King George, but gets this instead
145 Jobs at Pertemps City Christmas Hurdle (2m) (where do they get these race names...had .great merriment at a Brighton meeting back in the summer at a race sponsored by Lucy d' Auvergne lingerie and swimwear..suspect Lucy no more from the Auvergne than I am): I take Intersky Falcon against Rooster Booster.
220: Pertemps King George Chase (3m): the big race, and I can't see First Gold doing it again. So I pick Fondmort
225: Tote Supports SIA Novices Handicap Chase (2m 4f 110yd): Wild Knight, top of the weights, arguably in grip of handicapper, but still the best on the form.
325: JPA Group Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f): I go for Tinoveritas.
One of the things that brings hope is that the time of the last race gets later and later from now on. A couple of months from now and I'll be in the March twilight at Cheltenham after a last race that's run at a respectable time. But there's great beauty in the racing and the winter evenings at this time of year as well.
