Distinctly Irishis driven out by five-time champion jockey Winston Griffiths to beat stable companion Herecomesfudgie (Larris Allen), in the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup - the supporting feature - over 2400 metres at Caymanas Park on Boxing Day, 2005. - Ian Allen /Staff Photographer

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Following his runaway victory in the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup last Boxing Day, the 2004 Horse of the Year, DISTINCTLY IRISH, makes his seasonal debut at Caymanas Park today in the Eros Trophy - graded stakes feature over 1400 metres to be contested by six starters.

Although reporting with top weight of 60.5kg once again under customary rider Winston Griffiths, DISTINCTLY IRISH should bring his abundance of class to bear on the proceedings and register his 14th win from 24 career starts.

The 2004 Derby and Superstakes winner faces some lightly weighted but useful opponents such as the 2006 Caribbean Sprint champion RAMPAGE, last December's Gold Cup winner JUST SOME THOUGHTS, who bids for his fourth consecutive win, and MEDICAL REPORT who recently won the St. Catherine Cup over 1100 metres.

Also present is CLOCK WORK, who won the valuable Red Stripe Mile last November, but is back with his fair share of weight.

Worthy opponents

Both RAMPAGE, who is sure to lead, and JUST SOME THOUGHTS who should be coming strongly from off the pace, will have their share of supporters and are worthy opponents in a race of this nature.

However, DISTINCTLY IRISH packs so much class that he ought to be followed in present frame of mind.

Although out for the first time in two months, the six-year-old bay gelding by Irish Quest out of the 1990 Derby winner Distinctly Native has been burning up the track at exercise in preparation for this race, galloping 5-1/2 furlongs in 1:07.0 on Monday, the last five in 1:00.3 (looked well).

Back in action well drawn on the outside of this small field, DISTINCTLY IRISH should pack too many guns for JUST SOME THOUGHTS and RAMPAGE up the lane.

I am expecting himto race off the fast, early pace expected to be set by RAMPAGE and CLOCK WORK, before mounting his challenge leaving the furlong pole. He will prove hard to withstand from that point and should win from the late-kicking JUST SOME THOUGHTS.

Firm fancies

Other firm fancies on the card are SEA CRACKERS to stave off FOX MAN in the second race, SIR KHAN, now assured of strong handling from Trevor Simpson, to turn the tables on recent conqueror OH NO GRANDPA in the 3rd race, classic aspirant STRONG HOPE in the 4th, POLISH MARKET to stave off PECKUS OUT in the 5th and FIWI EMBLEM over SENOR GATO and SONNY 'B' GOOD in the knotty looking 8th race for the James B. Dawes Memorial Cup over 1300 metres.

BLOW WIND BLOW, who has trained well for his new connections, will prove hard to beat in the nightpan, race No.2 in the CTL Claiming series over 1600 metres. ME LLAMO looks the principal danger in a field of 11.