Deserting the thriving veteran I'm A Starman in his present heart is not done lightly, especially considering the largely unprepossessing opposition which awaits him here. A highest mark in over three years asks a question, however, and in the newly cheekpieced TROPICAL SPEED (nap) he faces a rival whose ceiling in staying handicaps on sound surfaces may not have been reached yet. [Jeremy Grayson]
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Possible to say he's been temptingly handicapped for a while now, but dropping into a 0-110 here for just the second time; some hope if getting a less contested lead than last time (C&D), which isn't a given.
Capitalised on a rival's late error over C&D latest (good) to complete the hat-trick; now back on his highest mark since March 2022, and beaten 5l and 8l in the last two renewals of this race (25l ahead of Spitalfield last year), but demands consideration in his present mood.
Didn't settle but still recorded an easy Wincanton win under Harry Cobden in January (2m4f, heavy); contested lead and 11lb rise found him out latest, and at least one of those will be an issue again here.
Almost 5l too good for I'm A Starman when off the mark at Ffos Las over a year ago (3m, good); inconsistent since, including when failing to take a cut at these brush hurdles in this race last term (beaten 33l).
Diminishing returns following last June's Stratford success for Dan Skelton (extended 2m, good) off 7lb lower; no obvious positives on form or pedigree for this step up to a stayers' trip on stable debut.
Return to good ground appeared key to his easy Stratford win in March (2m6f); lesser follow-up effort at Ffos Las with as much in his favour needs forgiving, but entitled not to be far away if the cheekpieces help him tease out resources longer this time.
Winless since autumn 2022 and hasn't been convincing over stayers' trips latterly, including in debuted cheekpieces (retained) over this C&D latest; further 3lb drop is unpersuasive.
Just got the better of a protracted duel at Perth last July (3m, good), and may still have been feeling that effort 17 days later; absent since, but couldn't be sure he's handicapped out of further gains.
March's Southwell handicap win (good) took his record in 2m4f hurdles there to 2-3 versus 0-27 across all other career starts, though one of his nearest misses was recorded off today's mark on this card last year (2m4f); rather mixed record over staying trips.
0-25 in Irish points, though his last-time Quakerstown third (3m, yielding) was one of the better efforts; well held at usually big prices over hurdles last summer; British/stable debut.
Still to add to April 2022's Perth maiden success for Olly Murphy (2m4f, good to soft), and this would be a bit better race than the Warwick 0-100 in which I'm A Starman beat him 31l last time.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
