STAR TO SPARKLE

COO STAR SIVOLA is a going-places, well-handicapped chaser who deserves his place at the head of the market.

The six-year-old, trained by his rider Lizzie Kelly’s stepfather Nick Williams, signed off his career over hurdles with a fine fourth in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle last March.

After three runs novice chases – two in of them at Cheltenham – Coo Star Sivola finished fourth in handicap company to Frodon over two miles and five furlongs on the track’s Trials card in January.

But he stepped up on that run at Exeter when returning to three miles on his most recent outing, travelling well within himself throughout before extending to humble Ice Cool Champs by 14 lengths.

The handicapper’s reaction – a 7lb rise – looks lenient and, with more to come, Coo Star Sivola can give Kelly a first Cheltenham Festival win.

The race has its usual open look, with Singlefarmpayment, Vintage Clouds and Cogry all capable of having a say in proceedings.