prominent, led 5th, ridden clear flat
in touch, every chance 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra flat
mid-division, headway 5th, lost place 3 out, shaken up and ran on flat, went 2nd close home
keen, mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 2 out, weakened flat
led to 5th, weakened 3 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, one pace flat
with leader, fell 2nd
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
mid-division, badly hampered and unseated rider 2nd
always behind
took keen hold, always behind
in touch to 5th, soon behind
Emotional Article, Calatagan and Hernando's Boy are shortlisted, with the vote going to Emotional Article. Emotional Article who, if his jumping holds together, looks to be on a reasonable mark on this foray across the Irish Sea and gets our vote, not least because he also has the services of Barry Geraghty in this Flat versus Jump race, which has attracted plenty of interest. Just three pounds above a winning mark, Calatagan ran pretty well at Cheltenham on his reappearance, particularly given that he is usually better ridden closer to the pace. Fitness will not be an issue here and he can go well for the Flat riders in this event. Hernando's Boy has won three of his six starts and could go well, although you have to take a view as to whether he is well handicapped or not. while Flying Enterprise can be expected to go well dropping back in trip from last time, and Marrel and Nick's Choice are just two pounds above winning marks, although the latter might need the run. Finally, Gift Voucher is doubly entered on the card but looks to have something to find in any case. All in all, it looks like the Irish can get off to a winning start with Emotional Article.
Flying Enterprise (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 17, 15l behind The Market Man (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Oct.
Rising Generation (FR) 4-1 (11-9) Made virtually all, drew clear flat, unchallenged, won at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Oct beating Big Wheel (9-13) by 19l, 13 ran.
Calatagan (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Keen hold, chased winner 2nd until driven and weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 15l behind Cantgeton (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (E) gd in Oct.
St Pirran (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up, outpaced when hit 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 11, 20l behind Crathorne (10-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in Oct.
Salhood 11-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 10, 15l behind Fundamental (10-11) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gd in Mar '04.
Hernando's Boy 2-1 (11-5) In touch, headway 6th, led 2 out, pushed out, won at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (E) gs in Apr beating Iris's Prince (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Almier (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Made all, challenged 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs gs in Sept beating Amid The Chaos (11-7) by 3l, 15 ran.
Marrel 14-1 (11-7) Soon well behind, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Genghis (11-12) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Mar.
Emotional Article (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Led and clear, reduced advantage 4 out, headed and lost place after 3 out, moderate 6th when left 4th last, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 14l behind On Your Way (9-10) at Galway 2m lst hcp hdl hvy in Oct.
Nick's Choice 16-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 16, 15l behind Achilles Wings (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Jun.
Proud To Be Irish (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, 6th 3 out, improved into 4th next, no extra before last, 4th of 10, 9l behind Young Elodie (10-11) at Galway 2m hdl gf in Jul.
Gift Voucher (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, prominent, chased leader before 5th until weakened quickly before 2 out, 7th of 8, 33l behind Penzance (10-12) at Kempton 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Feb.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Tracked leader until not fluent 6th, weakened 8th, last of 7, well behind Cerium (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov chs (C) gd in Oct.
October Mist (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, towards rear when hampered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Jordan's Ridge (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Apr, 19 ran.
