Monmore's Festival of racing turned out to be a day to forget for the members of the Topstar Honcho syndicate.
Sent off a well supported 7/4F, Star did'nt come out the best and seemed to stumble as he exited the traps but showed his pace for the first 30 metres or so before not really hitting top gear as we would expect and then getting crowded at the first and second bends.

At the time it seemed an odd race for him to run given his capability and had both myself and Lance wondering if he had some sort of problem, consequently Lance whisked him off to see Simon Gower at Swindon and it was confirmed that he had indeed encountered a problem or two that will keep him of the racetrack for 6-8 weeks.

Although not a major problem both myself and Lance are of the opinion we can always bring him back a week to soon but never a week to late and as such Lance will administer the relevant rehabilitation and give the Star plenty of time to get back into top condition and allow his niggles to be completely resolved prior to getting back on to the racetrack.

Advantage Martti is also only a week away from a trail at Coventry and is expected to make a reappearance at next Tuesday's trial session, Whilst Big Chief will be on his way to Ireland in the next week or so to be schooled before joining up with Lance, Pam and all the team at the Iceman Kennel's.

No luck for Topstar Honcho at Sheffield last night, despite his cramped odds of 8/11 in the sprint open. Star repeatedly charged the traps in his keenness to get on with business. When the lids opened he was on the back foot and missed his break, he showed good pace to the bend but got involved in trouble and in sprints....its all over.

On to a terrific card at Monmore Green bags meeting on Monday, Star has his favourite trap in a tough heat, he’s in great form however and we are all counting down the days until Monday.

Below is the three heat competition he is in, first two to go through to the final.

You can now see the video footage on this blog of Topstar Honcho's recent wins at Monmore and Sheffield. Star has been entered up for a race Sheffield again this coming Tuesday 9th June but this time, if accepted, will be taking in the 280 Mtr Open Race Sprint that is on the card. Hopefully Star can continue to put his early pace to good use and put in another good performance over the shorter distance.

Star has done us proud tonight at Sheffield and gone and won again!! Lance must take all the credit for spotting a fantastic opportunity and entering Star in two maiden opens within the same week (perfectly normal), after his awesome display on Saturday night at Monmore we had a whistle stop tour to Sheffield. He once again had a few hurdles to overcome but still had a fair chance given his form and his performance on Saturday at Monmore, however the Racing Post (priced at 5/1) did'nt give him much of a chance but the on course Bookmakers were more convinced of his chances and sent him off as the 2/1 Fav.

Star came out of the traps like a bullet and again put his rivals to the sword only tiring on the stiff run for home but going on to win by a head

A massive thanks must go to Lance, Pam and all the team for their handling of Star since he arrived at the Iceman Kennels.