led until 2 out, kept on, one paced
held up in tocuh, led 2 out, clear approaching last, readily
in touch, mistake 8th, soon ridden and weakened
keen, held up, headway 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader, effort 9th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on flat
Jonny Portman's Emphatic returns to the scene of his success earlier in the month for this 3m2f handicap hurdle and is difficult to oppose off just a 4lb higher mark. The son of Ela Mana Mou was tackling the trip for only the second time in his career that day and stayed on well to beat Admiral Peary by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Under similar conditions, he should be too good for his rivals again. The best of the opposition looks to be Ferdy Murphy's Tufty Hopper. Much improved since joining present connections, winning twice at Sedgefield, the son of Rock Hopper was beaten when falling two out at Carlisle last time and looks plenty high enough in the weights at present. Alan King's Tathmin is a consistent performer and has been given a chance by the handicapper, while Matrix and Frentzen are open to more improvement than most but it will be a surprise if this does not go to the Portman horse.
