Stream Of Stars shows old sparkle to make it three wins from six starts after 986 days off the track

Stream Of Stars returned from a 986-day absence to win the 2m3f handicap hurdle and take his jumps record to three wins from six starts. 

The well-bred winner has an intriguing profile having landed an Ascot maiden for Lady Bamford in May 2018, and he ran in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot behind the subsequent St Leger winner Kew Gardens the following month.

He was then bought for 26,000gns by Charlie Mann that autumn and, while he did not run for that trainer, he has barely put a foot wrong since joining Nigel Twiston-Davies, winning at Ludlow and Plumpton in the winter of 2021.

The nine-year-old showed no signs of rustiness on his return, travelling strongly and jumping nimbly under the trainer's son Sam before striding clear of Finest View after the last hurdle to win by two and a quarter lengths.

"He'd had a long time off and the owners have been very patient, because I promise you we've probably given him eight entries and he's never once been declared," the rider told Sky Sports Racing.

"There's been a lot of patience shown all round and it's paid off. He had a leg, and then recovered from that and was just coming back into training at possibly the wrong time."

He added: "I thought stepping up to two miles and three on his first run back possibly wasn't ideal but luckily he got a nice slot in behind the leader and it was a nice even pace. He relaxed and jumped."

Both trainer and jockey are already gearing up for the winter season, boasting strike-rates of 29 and 35 per cent respectably.

Loose horse chaos

Belles Benefit caused havoc in the opening mares' hurdle when she unseated Will Featherstone at the third flight only to re-enter the race riderless and interfere with the other runners.

After the eighth flight she gave a mighty barge to Chief Lady and the winner State Of Honor, who suffered more interference at the last from runner-up Happy Index for good measure. 

Belles Benefit, a previous course winner, appeared to show no-ill effects for her escapades and led the runners home in the final furlong.

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