Stratford preview: Cyrien Star to shine under Johnson

David Metcalf | October 29, 2015

Cyrien Star can take advantage of what looks a very lenient mark to land the 2m 6f handicap chase that open proceedings on today’s card at Stratford (13.40).

Henry Daley’s trained gelding was a three-time winner over hurdles who was rated 130 at his peak. After failing to shine in his first two starts last season, Cyrien Star had his attentions switched to chasing and ran very well on debut over the larger obstacles when third of 10 to Jac The Legend at Catterick off a mark of 115.

The eight-year-old then failed to build on that effort when pulled-up in a class 3 contest at Warwick when last seen in action, but that was a deep race for the grade and may well have come too quickly.

Cyrien to have punters reaching for the Star

Cyrien Star has since been given a lengthy break to freshen up, and the handicapper has been quick to cut him plenty of slack.

The son of Bollin Eric is now able to race off a mark of just 107, and that makes Cyrien Star look potentially thrown-in at the weights judged on his hurdles form.

Cyrien Star also now drops back into class 4 company, and with the in-form Richard Johnson in the saddle looks the one to beat.

In the 2m 3f handicap chase (15.40), Cody Wyoming can build on a promising comeback run to land the spoils.

Charlie Mann’s trained gelding enjoyed a highly successful campaign last season when winning three times, with the last of those victories coming at Catterick where he stayed on strongly to score by 1 1/2 lengths off a mark of 117.