mid-division, headway 5th, chased winner approaching 8th, ridden after 3 out, hung left approaching last, stayed on
held up in touch, pushed along after 9th, weakened after 3 out
well behind from 7th, tailed off
in touch and took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, ridden and weakened approaching 8th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
tracked leader, led 6th, ridden 2 out, driven out
prominent when hit 3rd, losing place when mistake 4th, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, well behind from 7th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway on inside approaching 6th, weakened 9th, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 1st, mistake 7th, headway after 8th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
always behind
took keen hold, led until 6th, ridden and weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
several mistakes, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Star Member can make a winning start over timber, with The Bailie, Cirrus and Air Guitar likely to be involved in the thick of the action. In truth, none of those with experience over hurdles are anything special, and the Flat class of Star Member should stand him in good stead as he embarks on his new career. The Ian Williams-trained six-year-old was a useful staying handicapper on the level, but has failed to sparkle in three runs this summer, albeit against top company in the Northumberland Plate and The Ebor. Sure to have been well schooled, he should have too many guns for these, as long as the ground does not turn soft. The Baillie makes his debut over hurdles after two educational outings in bumper company, and with Tony McCoy in the saddle, plus a step up to a trip more in keeping with his breeding, it is not hard to see Charlie Egerton's gelding giving him most to do. Cirrus runs in the colours of Sir Robert Ogden, and the French import should be noted in the betting, while Air Guitar shaped well at Huntingdon last time and is another that will benefit from the trip. All in all, Star Member is the most interesting runner on view here and can pay to support.
Air Guitar (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up, headway after 4 out, soon one pace, 4th of 14, 10l behind Dyneburg (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (F) gf in Aug.
Cirrus (FR) Saint Preuil gelding out of Cirta De Champfeu.
Dark Rum 28-1 (10-12) Behind, some headway 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 27l behind Kilindini (11-3) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Aug.
Honourable Collins (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always behind and not jump well, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Decisive (11-4) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gd in Aug, 10 ran.
Rhossili (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Mistake 1st, behind, hampered 3rd, behind from next, 7th of 11, 42l behind Blue Venture (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (D) gf in Jul '03.
Star Member (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Held up and keen, slightly hampered after 2f out, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 15th of 20, 15l behind Sergeant Cecil (8-12) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug (Flat).
Woodstock Express 33-1 (11-1) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Made In France (11-1) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gd in Aug '04, 16 ran.
The Baillie (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division and keen, headway halfway, ridden to chase leading pair 3f out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Flinders Bay (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) sft in Dec.
