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Star Performers of the Weekend – Coral Racing Club Members have their say

28 Nov 2023
After a great weekend of racing, with several Graded contests across both the UK and Ireland, we asked you, the Coral Racing Club members, who your Star Performer of the Weekend was and why. 

Check out what members had to say as we pick out some of the best entries below.

Morgiana Hurdle – State Man


It was no surprise to see State Man win, given that he was sent off as a 1/6 favourite, but the manner of his success was quite special. The Willie Mullins' trained gelding was left significantly short of room when going round the final bend, but was still running noticeably better than the rest of the field. Paul Townend backed these comments up in his post-race debrief and the six-year-old ran on in incredible fashion to win by an eventual 5 lengths. 

This performance didn't escape the eyes of our members, with State Man being the most popular suggestion in this week's Star Performer of the Weekend. Lee, from the West Midlands, called his win a "demolition job" and Andrew, from Staffordshire, believes that "if it wasn't for Constitution Hill, he'd be a megastar." 

Martin, from Lisburn, believes that "there's more to come", do you think he stands a chance of beating Constitution Hill to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March?

Betfair Chase – Royal Pagaille


Royal Pagaille stayed on resolutely to win the Betfair Chase on Saturday, after some slight mistakes early on in race. Charlie Deutsch held him comfortably in third for the early running of the race, before making his move going into the thirteenth fence. He took the lead soon after and didn't stop galloping when odds-on favourite Bravemansgame challenged him in the run in, eventually going away to win by over six lengths.

Adam, from West Yorkshire, called it "a wonderful round of jumping" and called it a "relentless performance to put the field to the sword". Mike, from Bedfordshire, agreed calling it a "determined effort" before praising the efforts of Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch.

Michael, from Norfolk, said that "he's been knocking on the door of a Grade 1 win for a long time" and said that it's "great to see the stable in top form again". Do you think Royal Pagaille can go on to be successful in this year's Gold Cup?

John Durkan Memorial Chase – Fastorslow


Fastorslow cemented his form in the three-mile chasing division with a second straight victory over last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs. He raced prominently all the way round, before looking to be a little outpaced when approaching the final fence. However he stayed on in unbelievable fashion to win by half a length, despite jockey J J Slevin dropping his whip following the final jump.

Robert, from South Yorkshire, said that "this performance proves that his win over Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame last time out was no fluke", an opinion shared by Lisa, from Manchester. Meanwhile Scott, from Essex, was happy to see him "beat a handful of Mullins superstars over a shorter than ideal trip.  

Finally, we go to Alan, from Buckinghamshire, who says that there's "no mistaking now, he is simply a Gold Cup horse". Do you agree and think he can win the showpiece race at Cheltenham this year?

Join us next Monday as we'll be back to ask you who your Star Performer of the Weekend was.
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