Fair Star (5/2) looks a fair sort

Fair Star was highlighted as an unraced bumper horse to follow on page 173 of One Jump Ahead and Brian Ellison's three year old scored at the first time of asking at Market Rasen on Saturday. Contesting the one mile five junior bumper which concluded the card, Danny Cook's mount responded well to pressure with quarter of a mile to run before staying on strongly to win by a length and a half. Purchased out of William Haggas' yard for 30,000gns at the Newmarket July Sales, I spoke to Brian on Friday evening and he reported the son of Sea The Stars had come to hand quickly and worked well during the week. He looks a promising sort who can only improve for the experience. Judging by the emails I received afterwards, plenty of readers backed him.

David Pipe's team are in fine form and following a couple of winners at Chepstow last week, the head of Pond House sent out a double at Ffos Las. Poker Play revelled in the testing conditions in the two and a half miles novice chase, while Induno looked a smart sort in the bumper. The Flemensfirth gelding had finished second on his debut in a similar event at Warwick last spring and confirmed the promise with an authoritative win under Tom Scudamore. Having cruised into contention, the five year old quickly settled the issue with a two and three quarters of a length win. He is the first horse Ronnie Bartlett has had in training with Pipe and more wins look assured.

Arguably the most impressive winner of the day came in the opening maiden hurdle at Stratford with ex-pointer Happygolucky (13/2) beating the 127 rated Mercy Mercy Me by eleven lengths. Runner-up in his only point in Ireland, he was purchased for £55,000 last December and given plenty of time since joining Kim Bailey. The gelded son of Jeremy jumped neatly throughout and could be called the winner soon after the second last. On this evidence, he looks a terrific acquistion and it will be interesting to see where he heads next.

In total, there were 4 winners in One Jump Ahead on Saturday at SPs of 13/2, 3/1, 11/8 and 5/2. Please head to the Publications section of the site, if you haven't already ordered a copy or the 5 Updates.