led, jumped right, hit 12th, mistake 14th, headed approaching bypassed fence, one pace
chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, headway 13th, mistake next, led on bit approaching bypassed fence, clear approaching last
chased leaders, weakened approaching bypassed fence
chased leaders, mistakes, pushed along 4th, fell 6th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Star Player can maintain his stable's good run of form at the main expense of Stagecoach Opal and Ellerslie George. Chris Grant has been one of the trainers to follow in 2008 and Star Player advertised his skills with an impressive display on his chase debut in a Carlisle handicap last month. The Accordion gelding jumped well, won cosily and has an excellent chance of following up from just a 9lb higher mark. The one caveat is the faster ground but he should cope with it. Stagecoach Opal has yet to win over fences but has made the frame in three of his four starts and won't be long in setting that record straight. He's 3lbs higher than when second at Huntingdon but has leading claims nonetheless. No Picnic just doesn't win often enough to be recommended whilst Sea Cadet ran a stinker last time. Witch Wind would prefer more cut in the ground and Ellerslie George looks a bigger threat. He doesn't look that well treated though and we'll take Star Player to land this heat.
Ellerslie George (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, chased leaders after 12th until last, no extra, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Money Trix (11-0) at Newcastle 3m Grad Ch (2) sft in Jan.
Witch Wind 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, reminders after 10th, ridden from 4 out, weakened from last, 5th of 11, 33l behind Brave Rebellion (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (2) hvy in Jan.
Raining Horse (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Towards rear, beaten from 11th when fell at the last in race won by The Joker (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 7 ran.
Sea Cadet 9-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway 14th, hampered 16th, soon beaten, 5th of 9, 39l behind Shardakhan (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
No Picnic (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Prominent until lost place and chased leaders 5th, ridden approaching 15th, soon beaten, 4th of 13, 20l behind Skenfrith (10-3) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Stagecoach Opal 9-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway 12th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Shardakhan (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Star Player (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged 11th, led approaching 4 out, clear 2 out, ridden and stayed on well approaching last, won at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Scrappie (11-2) by 7l, 7 ran.
