The Melbourne Cup entries, Stage Affair and Yavana's Pace, clash in today's listed Ardilaun Oyster Stakes but dreams of pre-antipodean glory can be shattered by Golden Rule.

Yavana's Pace travels from Mark Johnston's Middleham yard in a bid to improve a consistent but luckless season so far, and the ex-Michael Cunningham-trained horse has an obvious chance on the best of his English handicap form.

Yavana's Pace has been given 711 in the long handicap for the Australian showpiece in November and Stage Affair is on the 8-7 mark. The Irish St Leger is a more immediate aim for Dermot Weld's smart four-year-old, and on his second to Daylami in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May he has sound claims in today's race despite giving weight away.

However, he has disappointed slightly in his two runs since, sweating up before Ascot's Hardwicke Stakes and then finding Memorise too good in the Curragh Cup. Stage Affair now has his first run since June and will hardly be peaking, yet while the progressive Enzeli may not appreciate too much dig in the ground.

In contrast, Golden Rule has won on a soft surface and, after an impressive hat-trick of wins, he made a promising reappearance at the Curragh when fourth to Draft Of Vintage and Darina. It was only in the last furlong that Golden Rule surrendered the lead and this improving colt should have come on from that.

Golden Rule's trainer Frances Crowley can justifiably fancy her chances also in the bumper with Applause, but the nap vote goes to the traditional Galway kings, Dermot Weld and Michael Kinane.

Port Bayou hasn't run since late July when beaten a whisker by Globe Theatre in a Curragh maiden. Behind the pair were the highly rated Coliseum and the useful Scottish Memories, so it looked a reasonable contest and of those with racecourse experience in the Long Walk Maiden, Port Bayou looks to have the best form.

Aglish Pride is chosen to take the novice chase.