STARLUCK can put down a marker in this division although Balzaccio and Sydney Sling have both shown promise thus far. Alan Fleming's charge has dotted up in two hurdling starts thus far and has already been spoken of as a live Triumph Hurdle prospect. This is a much sterner task but his Fakenham victory underlined him as potentially very special. Balzaccio will have a tough task off a penalty. Beaten at odds-on at Ludlow, he won readily at Haydock next time out. Sydney Sling was a bargain buy for connections and they saw an immediate return on investment first time out. A winner over 1m2f on the flat in Ireland, speed should not be an issue. Nampour finished fourth in a Grade 2 at the track last month. He could be capable of further improvement. He would need to reverse form with Reve de Sivola off the same terms today. Purely By Chance was moderate on the flat but would need to improve upon the form exhibited at Leicester earlier in the month. Starluck is the pick.
Balzaccio (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Tracked leader, led after 2 out, clear flat, won at Haydock 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gf in Nov beating Woolfall Treasure (11-4) by 8l, 5 ran.
Just Rob 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, travelling well 3 out, joined leader 2 out, led approaching last, pushed clear, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Nov beating Sufad (11-0) by 4l, 5 ran.
Nampour (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 15, 9l behind Simarian (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Rory Boy (USA) 40-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 9th of 15, 17l behind Simarian (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Starluck (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Held up, smooth headway 5th to go prominent, led 3 out, soon clear, very easy, won at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Laterly (10-12) by 18l, 13 ran.
Sydney Sling (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Always prominent, led approaching 3 out, clear next, very easily, won at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft beating Gunnadoit (10-5) by 18l, 9 ran.
Purely By Chance 8-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led after last, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy beating Mvuto (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, some headway after 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on well from last, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Simarian (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
