IT is hard to knock Mysilv's game but if she has a fault, it could just be a certain vulnerability to a real turn of pace at the end of a strongly run contest. Dato Star has pace to spare and it may tell in the MD Foods Select Hurdle at Haydock today.
Malcolm Jefferson was delighted after the gelding was beaten in the November Handicap at Doncaster at the end of the Flat season. The reason could be it wasn't until that race that he realised just what quality the horse possessed.
In failing by just one and a half lengths to collar the improving Snow Princess, Dato Star proved himself a classy performer on the level.
His exploits over timber number just one bloodless victory in a novice event at Wetherby, but last season he was unbeaten in three bumper races, including the one at Cheltenham.
Given his potential over hurdles and his proven pace on the Flat, Dato Star is taken to sit on Mysilv's tail for much of today's race until pouncing late.
Jonjo O'Neill produced Give Best to land a maiden hurdle at Ayr narrowly from Shonara's Way. That form is creditable without catching the eye, but there are genuine reasons for believing Give Best can do just that with a little more cut conditions he will encounter for the first time this season in the Tweedle Dum NH Novices' Handicap.
