held up, headway 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra towards finish
held up and keen, behind from 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, weakened before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, weakening when mistake 4 out, pulled up before next
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, pushed along and behind from 4 out
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, led 2nd, ridden approaching last, ridden out
led to 2nd, remained prominent til pushed along after 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden, weakening when fell 2 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened next
chased leaders, reminder 6th, soon behind
chased leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened next
held up towards rear, pushed along 6th, soon weakened
Emerging Star can make up for a recent mishap by landing the opener on the card at the expense of King Eider, Jidiya, and Sun Cat. Emerging Star is not the most fluent of jumpers based on the evidence so far, but was still going well when coming to grief at the fourth at Warwick nine days ago. Third to Howle Hill at Wetherby on his hurdles debut, this Ripon Flat winner definitely has the ability to score over timber, and as trainer George Moore won this event 12 months ago with St Matthew, the Middleham handler would surely be keen to follow up. King Eider was not highly tried on his first start over obstacles at Folkestone, but failed to last home in the soft ground. Twice successful on the Flat for John Dunlop, the faster ground and longer trip will be in his favour today, and he must go on the short-list. Roscommon bumper winner Jidiya makes his British debut for Steve Gollings and is interesting but may need the run, while Sun Cat will go on the ground and may come out best of the younger brigade. Abzuson has progressed through the bumper ranks and was entitled to need his run at Wetherby on Boxing Day, having been off the track for 10 months. While respecting the claims of King Eider, we are prepared to give Emerging Star another chance to open his account over hurdles.
