29 January 2010 Chase Stars Update: 29th January
by Weatherbys Chase Staff
START ROYAL: Easy Intermediate win
photo: Steve Hunt
The publication of the 2010 Mackenzie & Harris Annual included a new addition to the features of the book; the Weatherbys Chase Stars.
With unrivalled experience in judging Point-to-Pointers, the editors of the Annual were charged with selecting a dozen horses with the potential to become leading lights between the flags this term, duly compiling a list of horses with progressive and fascinating profiles.
Start Royal has already gone a significant way towards justifying his inclusion in the Chase Stars list, maintaining his unbeaten record in Point-to-Points with two wins so far this season; Alan Hill's gelding, previously in training with Ferdy Murphy after being imported from France, may have been unable to win over hurdles but looks to have the potential to go a long way as a Pointer.
Having kicked off his season with a thrilling win over leading East Anglian horse Where's My Baby in the Cambridgeshire Harriers Hunt Club Members Conditions race at Cottenham, the Starborough gelding reappeared at Horseheath for the Waveney Harriers meeting at the weekend, where he looked to have come on for his debut and easily dismissed his opposition to win his Intermediate eased-down. His introduction to Open contests will no doubt be watched with much interest.
Whilst the intention of the Chase Stars was to highlight the talent that remains in the Point-to-Point sphere rather than draw attention to those likely to join major yards - hence no inclusion for some of last season's much-discussed newcomers such as Vico, Meanus Dandy or indeed Foxhunters winner Cappa Bleu - inevitably the temptation for connections to try their hand against the professionals was always going to be strong.
Of the dozen, Fiddlers Reel, Cannington Brook and Babysitter have all competed with credit in the professional arena since the publication of the Annual, with unbeaten Pointer Fiddlers Reel coming close to winning his first run in a bumper, Babysitter being placed twice over hurdles for Nigel Twiston-Davies and Cannington Brook being placed second in both a Novices' Steeplechase and a Novices' Hurdle.
Looking ahead, Ardnaclancy, another included on the list, could make his seasonal debut at the West Percy.
Amongst the regional Champions in last season's pointtopoint.co.uk Young Horse Awards, the Darnay gelding won five races and was second on two other occasions, one being in the Cumberland Farmers Mens Open.
His return to that level could see him up against a competitive field, with fellow entrants including Dix Villez, Lord Who, Sonevafushi, Pristine Condition and previous Tommy Whittle Chase winner Kandjar D'Allier, so a win may require further improvement, but as a relative of useful Rules performers Frankie Figg and Lord Transcend, that can't be ruled out at the age of just seven.
For further information on the Chase Stars, as well as their full Mackenzie & Harris appraisals, order your copy of Hunter Chasers & Point-to-Pointers 2010; containing all results from 2008/09, plus black-and-white and colour photographs, seasonal review and Courses section, it is still the essential book for all Point-to-Point enthusiasts. To order call the Orders line direct on 01933 304792 or go here.
