held up in touch in last pair, not always fluent, closed after 3 out, ridden next, one pace
made all, clear before 2 out, easily
held up in touch in last pair, closed after 5th, chased winner after 4 out, no impression 2 out, lost 2nd last, one pace
prominent, reminder after 5th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd 3rd until before 6th, outpaced and looked to be losing touch before 3 out, stayed on to close on placed horses flat, no impression
MEGASTAR was runner-up to Owen Glendower at Huntingdon on his last start over fences a year ago. The winner went on to be placed at the Cheltenham Festival and Gary Moore's charge has returned to form lately himself with a win on the Polytrack and a third in a well-contested jumpers' bumper at Kempton. He is fancied to come out on top here ahead of the five-year-old Volcan Surprise, who has proved a little disappointing over hurdles but may well be invigorated by a switch to fences. Avoca Promise is also worthy of a mention as he didn't run badly when third to Module at Newbury and Charlie Egerton's eight-year-old is preferred to Gallox Bridge and the mare Countess Comet.
Avoca Promise (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leading trio, blundered 9th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Module (11-0) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.
Gallox Bridge 10-1 (10-9) Led, ridden after 2 out, headed between last 2, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression flat, 4th of 17, 20l behind Dark Lover (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Megastar 6-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Sam Winner (11-0) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Volcan Surprise (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by Seedsman (11-1) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Countess Comet (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led soon after 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 13l behind Saints And Sinners (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.