very slow away, headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up, weakened over 2f out
close up, led over 1f out, driven out
held up towards rear, no impression over 2f out
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra towards finish
prominent, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, one pace
held up mid-division, kept on final furlong
Andrew Balding's STARBURST has been progressing well with racing and can follow up a decisive success last time by scoring from Gargano and Winning Show. The mare has possibly not been the easiest to train, having had just the eight starts, but connections' perseverance looks to be paying off judging by this one's success at Wolverhampton. She was eased down close home that day and could still be well-treated up 6lbs, so from a decent draw she's a pretty confident choice. Gargano might be the biggest threat to our pick, making his debut for the seemingly ever in-form Mark Johnston operation. Formerly trained in Ireland, this gelding hasn't yet tasted success but a mark of 61 leaves plenty to work with and presumably connections haven't made the purchase for nothing. Winning Show is up another 4lbs following his second consecutive win last time. The six-year-old therefore arrives here at the top of his game and although this revised mark demands more, the trip is perfect and he's likely to run another good race. We feel he may have done his winning for now though, indeed Star Choice is weighted to get the better of that one this time having been second previously. Jeff Pearce's runner hasn't been at his best here though and again looks worth taking on. Princess Flame has only had the one try on artificial surfaces and remains well enough treated on the pick of her jumping form, but perhaps connections are using this as a stepping stone to National Hunt targets given the recent problems posed by the weather. Karky Schultz's sole success came here but he's 9lbs higher now and doesn't look attractively weighted and Graylyn Ruby might just need this following a near three-month break. At a price, Ardmaddy may go well granted the strong pace he needs whilst Supernoverre cannot be totally ruled out with Kieren Fox claiming a valuable 7lbs. Quite a competitive heat but the top-weight looks the one most likely to progress further, so Starburst gets our vote.
Starburst 10-3 (9-3) Held up in last pair, headway over 2f out, soon switched to inside, led on bit well over 1f out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec beating Maraased (9-8) by 4l, 9 ran.
Graylyn Ruby (FR) 14-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway on outside from 3f out, ridden and kept on into 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Sitwell (8-11) at Leicester 1m 4f clm stks (5) gd in Oct.
Gargano (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Led, headed 2f out, 3rd and no impression from 1f out, dropped to 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 14, 3l behind Accompanist (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Nov.
Karky Schultz (GER) 9-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway when hampered over 2f out, switched right and went 3rd over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Amazing King (9-9) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jul.
Star Choice 7-2 (9-4) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Winning Show (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Winning Show 9-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, led well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Star Choice (9-4) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Hammer 10-1 (9-0) Disputed lead 2f, soon steadied into rear, pushed along over 2f out, no headway, well beaten over 1f out, last of 6, 12l behind Wild Rhubarb (9-11) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Little Sark (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 22l behind Stagecoach Emerald (8-3) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Wabbraan (USA) 20-1 (8-6) Tracked leader to 8f out, prominent, led over 2f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 5l behind King Red (9-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Ardmaddy (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden 2f out, beaten over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 9, 5l behind Dani's Girl (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Supernoverre (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden and effort entering final 2f, soon one pace, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Leyte Gulf (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Pearl (IRE) 22-1 (9-4) In touch, lost place well over 3f out, 8th of 16, 19l behind Miss Serena (9-2) at Great Leighs 2m hcp (6) pol in Oct '08.
Princess Flame (GER) 20-1 (9-9) Prominent, chasing group, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace, no impression, 5th of 13, 4l behind Warne's Way (9-11) at Newbury 1m 4f ladies hcap (5) sft in Oct.
