held up in last, went 4th before 6th, closed next, challenged on bit 3 out, led before next where jumped left, went left again last, soon clear, comfortably
reminder start, with leader, reminder after 5th, gave up next, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5th, not fluent 7th, led before 3 out, headed when not fluent 2 out, weakened flat
held up in 4th, went 3rd after 5th, not fluent 7th, tracking leaders when switched right and went wrong just before 3 out, pulled up on landing side
raced wide, led, mistake 7th, headed before 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, no impression, stayed on same pace
EMRANI has a little to prove on his seasonal return but Tim Leslie isn't in the habit of holding on to underperforming horses and the six-year-old can reward the owner's patience today. Another Hero brings a flawless record into the race and he certainly hasn't been unbacked when taking his chance. A half-brother to dual Grade 1 winning hurdler Back In Front, he has the pedigree to go some way further. Keel Haul won a maiden point-to-point at Toomebridge in May and hasn't been disgraced in two outings under Rules. Oscar Close and Up To The Mark are somewhat more exposed. The latter is a maiden over hurdles after a dozen previous starts but he shouldn't be dismissed out of hand as Henry Daly has often taken this route with his more established chasers.
Another Hero (IRE) 5-4fav (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway before 4th, led before 2 out, clear when jumped left last, kept on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gf beating Kalmbeforethestorm (11-0) by 8l, 13 ran.
Emrani (USA) 6-1 (11-0) Led, slow first, reminders and jumped right next, soon 4 lengths clear, headed 3 out, driven to lead again approaching last, out jumped and headed last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Clarion Call (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Aug.
Keel Haul (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, chased winner 6th, ridden and well held before 2 out, eased flat, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Scoter Fontaine (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Oscar Close (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, ridden and weakened before last, 5th of 10, 9l behind Adrenalin Flight (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Up To The Mark 3-1fav (11-2) Led, mistake 7th, ridden 4 out, soon headed, well held 2 out, last of 9, well behind Alwaystheoptimist (11-9) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Jun.
