REACH FOR STARS
MANY Stars has made an excellent start to his fencing career and can continue to make rapid strides in the FJ Chalke Desert Orchid Handicap Chase at Wincanton tomorrow.
The six- year- old won one of his four starts over hurdles last term, showing plenty of dash to triumph by 12 lengths at Huntingdon in March before being found out in better company at Ayr.
Trainer Dan Skelton clearly felt his hurdles opportunities may be a bit limited off a mark of 120 and has wasted no time in switching to the chasing ranks, pitching him into a fair novice event at Exeter at the start of the month.
Many Stars was sent off the 4- 7 favourite that day but looked to be up against it as Mackeys Forge had enjoyed the run of the race from the front and built up a healthy advantage.
However, Many Stars dug deep after just edging in front at the last and he clung on all the way up the run- in to triumph by threequarters of a length.
Many Stars faces much more experienced rivals at Wincanton but remains a runner full of potential who should thrive for this step up to three miles and three furlongs.
Solstice Son has to settle for second on his fencing bow but can improve on that in the Festival Racing Supports Combat Stress Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
He managed to notch a hat- trick over hurdles last term, despite the fact trainer Anthony Honeyball’s runners were suffering with a virus for much of the campaign.
Solstice Son had to settle for minor honours on his last couple of outings but showed he had lost little of his sparkle when second at Fontwell earlier this month.
He hit a bit of a flat spot as the pace upped a notch but eventually kept on well to finish a five- length runner- up to Comeonginger, who had already had a handful of starts over fences last term.
Solstice Son will surely come on for the run and he should go well, despite having to shoulder jointtop weight.
Valco De Touzaine came unstuck when upped to Listed calibre at the end of last term but the Maxilead Metals Handicap Chase at Aintree looks a fine starting point for Paul Nicholls’ runner.
The Ditcheat handler executed his usual plan of thoroughly taking advantage of the four- yearold chase allowances in the early part of last season, winning at Wetherby and Leicester.
He was subsequently found out at Haydock and had little impact when tried in Grade Two company on desperate ground at Warwick in February.
However, conditions were against him on both occasions, while his jumping was simply not up to scratch when he fell at Ayr on his final start of last season.
Those defeats saw him slip ever so slightly back in the handicap and with decent ground in prospect on Merseyside, Valco De Touzaine has a few factors in his favour.
Baileys Concerto has been on a roll and can bring up a four- timer in the Rewards4racing Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
A decisive winner of a competitive chase at Kelso in May, a switch back to hurdles over the summer provided two more successes and ensures he will arrive at Aintree fit enough to do himself justice.
Starchitect hardly impressed on his hurdling debut but should be given the benefit of the doubt as he has his second start within that sphere in the Molson Coors Juvenile Hurdle.
A reasonable performer in Ireland for Eddie Lynam, he was an odds- on favourite to become sire Sea The Stars’ first winner over obstacles. His Bangor run did not go to plan, though he eventually found his stride and went on to win by an untroubled six lengths.