Starluck set for Christmas Hurdle

Starluck put the finishing touches to his preparations for the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle with a pleasing workout at Kempton Park.

Alan Fleming’s high-class grey had a very gentle breeze on the Polytrack after Tuesday’s all-weather bumper meeting.

Ridden by Timmy Murphy, the five-year-old finished just in behind stablemate Aather, and nicely ahead of On Borrowed Wings.

Starluck is now in prime health to return to the Sunbury circuit for the Grade One challenge on St Stephen's Day.

Murphy said: “He felt great. I was delighted with him, but I’ve been delighted with him all season.”

Alan Fleming added: “It wasn’t anything at all serious but with the snow, it was very kind of Kempton to let us come here and give him a blow.

“We’re really happy, and let’s just hope Sunday is on.”