Kempton
12.50pm
Vegas Blue
She was very green when winning at Bangor and I was very taken with her at Huntingdon last time, when she won her Listed bumper in very good style. This is clearly a stiff task on her hurdling debut but we are very much looking forward to seeing what she can do over hurdles. She is a sister to a fair hurdler in Rathhill and looks a very good prospect in her own right.
2.30pm
Fusil Raffles
Every dry day is a positive for last year’s winner Verdana Blue, and you wouldn’t underestimate her in the slightest. On what we know, she is probably the one to beat. But Fusil Raffles was so good here last February, so impressive when beating Fakir D’Oudairies at Punchestown, and so promising when scoring at Wincanton on his return when needing the run that he is clearly a serious proposition here. He is a 4yo with very few miles on the clock, and one that we obviously think could develop into a Unibet Champion Hurdle horse. This will tell us a lot more though, as this looks a Christmas Hurdle with some depth to it.
3.40pm
Oscarsman
I haven’t ridden him before but he put some modest efforts behind him when winning at Plumpton last time and a mark of 117 doesn’t look overly-punitive on his handicap debut. He has prospects here.