Luke has his say on Kempton closure and previews his weekend rides

Luke Morris Kempton closure thoughts

Kempton has dominated the news this week in racing after plans were announced to close the course and I think it’s a move that’s in the best interests of racing as a whole.

I spend a lot of time at Kempton, particularly in the winter, and in the King George VI Chase there is a rich heritage. But the general Kempton meetings on the all-weather on a Wednesday night, and generally for most meetings, it’s pretty much a ghost town.

Kempton’s a place that really just seems to cater for the odd few jumps meetings and King George day. The plans are difficult for the jumps boys but take away the King George and it’s a course where not a lot happens most of the year.

In terms of riding, Kempton’s a lovely fair all-weather track but looking at the plans for the course they’re planning to build in its place in Newmarket the plans look quite similar to the layout at Kempton.

That new course is going to please the Newmarket guys a lot but it’s not going to suit a lot of other people from places like Lambourn. It might need some extra thought.

Overall, as Kempton caters for one day of the year and for the good of the sport I think it’s the right thing to do as it means there’s going to be a lot of money invested in other areas.

Lingfield rides

12.15 Lingfield – Indigo Princess
The yard are in better form now than when she last ran. I’m also not sure she quite stayed the trip last time. She’s back in trip and I’d expect a big run as it looks the ideal race.