held up behind leaders, lost touch 13th, pulled up before 3 out
held up behind leaders, led 12th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon beaten
with leader, awkward 2nd, reminders 5th, led 10th until 12th, soon ridden, weakened after 4 out, behind when blundered and unseated rider last
held up behind leaders, led approaching 3 out, clear when mistake 2 out, easily
led, mistake 9th (water), headed next, blundered and unseated rider 11th
Starzaan is a very interesting runner here for Hughie Morrison but will perhaps need the run after a huge layoff and preference is for Miss Mitch, while all the other trio merit mention. Starzaan was a very classy hurdler a few seasons ago, winning at Grade 2 level and regularly contesting Grade 1 and 2 events. He has been off the track since April 2006 and comes here for his chasing debut, so he has to prove fitness and jumping ability again. Even so, Hughie Morrison has a good record with horses like this and he is respected. However, Miss Mitch gets weights from everything here and she beat the useful yardstick Harringay by 12 lengths when the pair met here in November over c&d, so we know she likes the track and the going was also the same as today, so she gets the nod. Grand Slam Hero would get involved if at his best but he has not been enjoying himself much lately and is opposed. Possol has some form on soft ground in France and showed encouragement for the future on his debut for Henry Daly at Ludlow last month, so there could be more to come. Olmeto Collonges has conditions to suit but we need to see more from Hen Knight's yard before taking the plunge there and preference is for Miss Mitch.
Grand Slam Hero (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden 4th, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 29l behind Gauvain (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Possol (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leading pair throughout, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Enlightenment (11-5) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gd in Dec.
Olmeto Collonges (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon ridden to chase leaders, weakened before last, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Oceanos des Obeaux (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Starzaan (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Led, headed and reminder 8th, regained lead after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 10th of 12, well behind Mighty Man (11-6) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr '06.
Miss Mitch (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Prominent, led 5th to next, led 9th to 13th, led 4 out, clear 3 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 5f mrs nov chs (4) gs in Nov beating Harringay (11-0) by 12l, 6 ran.
