mid-division, ridden when fell 3 out
in touch, ridden after 9th, soon weakened
held up, headway 10th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, went lame and pulled up before next
held up, headway 10th, ridden and every chance last, ran on
in touch, hit 8th, ridden 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on
mid-division, headway 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
led, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 9th
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra towards finish
mid-division, ridden 8th, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway approaching 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat
prominent, ridden to lead approaching last, headed towards finish
towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
prominent, weakened quickly 10th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
hampered 3 out, always behind
held up, headway 10th, ridden approaching last, ran on to lead towards finish
behind, some headway 10th, soon weakened
The well-backed Keepatem can keep Irish eyes smiling at the end of day one, with Mistanoora, Stormez, Ar Muin Na Muice and Hidden Bounty just a few who are likely to make a bold bid as well. Keepatem failed to make the line-up 12 months ago, but has been laid out for this since by his astute trainer who has been making bullish noises concerning the J P McManus-owned eight-year-old. Third at Aintree last year on his only other appearance on these shores, Keepatem is very lightly raced and has been absent since finishing just behind G V A Ireland in a Leopardstown qualifier for this event in January. As some of the stable's inmates had been afflicted with the cough, he can be expected to improve for the run even though meeting that rival on the same terms. Confidence would be higher with more give in the ground, but even so he will be ready to run for his life and is selected. Mistanoora is a course winner and comes from the local stable of Nigel Twiston-Davies who has been in great form this season. Of Pipe's trio, Imperial de Thaix went close in a qualifier run here and makes more appeal than Carlovent, but Tony McCoy is on Stormez who ran well back over hurdles at Haydock a month ago. Jonjo O'Neill won this 12 months ago with Inching Closer who has been chasing since moving stables, and who should not be left out of calculations in his bid for a follow-up. Jonjo himself has three entries, but admits that Tardar, well beaten in last year's Coral Cup, has a tough task under topweight and would prefer much softer going. Barry Geraghty rides the mare Ar Muin Na Muice and she carries the main hopes of the Jackdaw Castle yard. Len Lungo saddles both The Bajan Bandit and Freetown, the latter having been well-backed of late to follow up his 2002 success in this contest. Fellow northern raider Hidden Bounty has won three of his last four starts and will relish the trip. His trainer Mary Reveley is yet to get off the mark at the Festival but he should go well. Irish runners have failed to reach the frame in the last two runnings of the Pertemps, but Keepatem could be the one to change that and take the prize back to the Emerald Isle for the first time since Generosa in 1999.
