led, headed 3 out, ridden next, soon beaten
chased leader, led 3 out, ridden approaching next, stayed on well
soon tracking leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up, weakened and pulled up before 6th
held up in touch, well beat when ran wide and unseated rider before 2 out
held up in touch, weakened from 7th
always towards rear, pushed along, weakened approaching 6th, pulled up
Impossible to oppose Starting Point who should have little difficulty in maintaining his unbeaten record over hurdles. Rightway Star is the obvious one for the forecast unless Cool Operator gets his act together. The selection wasn't hardpressed to make a winning debut over course and distance but was made to work to follow up under a penalty at Kelso. The second is a fair prospect and the way that the selection knuckled down was promising. Rightway Star flopped last time but is no mug and must be respected in receipt of weight but if there is to be a fly in the ointment then it's more likely to be Cool Operator. A winning pointer who headed the market for an Aintree bumper on debut, he's undoubtedly thought capable of better than that. He's bred to get a trip and will have no trouble handling the conditions. He could go well but we'll stick with Starting Point.
Starting Point 9-4fav (11-12) Made all, clear 2nd, hit 3 out, ridden next, kept on gamely flat, won at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Best Prospect (11-5) by 2l, 15 ran.
Rightway Star (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) With leaders, jumped right 2nd, led 4th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 9, 20l behind Folie Dancer (10-5) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Cool Operator 5-2fav (11-0) Soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong, 10th of 18, 22l behind Silly Wupple (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Gillie Brown 100-1 (11-3) Behind from 6th, no chance when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lease Lend (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan, 22 ran.
Kandelin (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 5th of 9, 17l behind Still At Lunch (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Nov.
One Accord 250-1 (10-12) Keen early, held up in rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Bold Ransom (10-7) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Partly Cloudy 50-1 (10-11) Raced keenly, prominent, ridden and weakened over 4f out, 11th of 14, 42l behind Broomhill Flyer (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Hello My Lovely 10-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Basoda (10-9) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Timmy My Boy 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened over 5f out, 15th of 18, well behind Peters Star (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (5) gd in May.
Vie A Deux (FR) 125-1 (10-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 16, 46l behind Silver By Nature (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
