Ozymandias

 

I met a traveller from an antique land
  Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
  Stand in the desert … Near them, on the sand,
  Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
  And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
  Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
  Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
  The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed:
  And on the pedestal these words appear:
  "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
  Look on my works ye mighty and despair!"
  Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
  Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
  The lone and level sands stretch far away.

          — Percy Bysshe Shelley

Diary: October 30 2008

I can’t find much to comment on in Thursday’s racing, so this will be a short update.

In the 6.50 General Tufto is dropped to selling company for the first time but he is hardly one to rely on. Bridgewater Boys has a good record at Lingfield and may be worth supporting there in the 1.10.

Over the jumps at Stratford Predateur is sure to be a warm order in the 1.50. If there are any chinks in his armour first time out then Crescent Island, with the benefit of a couple of recent runs could be the one to give him a race.

My best hope for tomorrow though is Bakbenscher in the 4.20. This 5 year old won 2 of his 3 starts in bumpers last season and is well thought of by connections. My only concern would be fitness on his hurdles debut as some of Alan King’s horses have needed their first run of the season.