3 minute read

Lots of racing happening around the world but let's start at Kempton.

This is traditionally one of the great days of racing but this year it will be without public which is a big downer.

However the horses don't mind in fact it often seems they prefer it.  Activities in the main races start off with the Kauto Star Novices' Chase Gr 1 for which there are 7 entries.  There are two obvious picks here – the talented Shan Blue on 15/8 for the Skeltons is trying this trip for the first time, and Colin Tizzard's The Big Breakaway will have Robbie Powell riding and at present they are around 5/2.

The Christmas Hurdle is Gr 1 with 5 runners and this looks ideal for Epartante who is odds-on at 2/5 with the main threat being The Silver Streak, who was second in this race last year.

The King George VI Chase Gr 1 is without Irish challengers (Covid/Brexit problems) and here Clan des Obeaux is trying to win this for the third time. 2/1 the quote. Cyrname has been set for this and comes in on 9/4 and Santini has his friends and is on 11/2.

The English trainers have been further requested to remain at home for the first two weeks of January at least as while there seems to be some sort of a deal going on there are vast quantities of paper work to be done, such as showing that the horse concerned has been in the UK for the last 40 days etc.