chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakening when hit 2 out
chased leaders, led 3rd, hit 5th, not fluent 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra
held up, effort 3 out, no impression
held up, headway 4 out, ridden next, one pace
led to 3rd, chased leader, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next
held up, smooth headway after 4 out, hit 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on
held up in touch and keen, ridden after 4 out, hit 3 out, one pace
Ouninpohja can get Aintree losses back, with Emmpat and Carraciola taken to give him most to do. Ouninpohja has been fancied to win a big race over hurdles ever since joining Paul Nicholls from Alan Swinbank, but since making a winning start over timber at Taunton, has continued to frustrate his supporters. Quite simply, he has an abundance of talent as proved by his performances on the Flat, but he seems to have developed a mental block when it comes to going about his business over the last. Described by his trainer as 'talented but quirky', that just about sums him up, and Ruby Walsh will once again have to work hard to get the six-year-old's head in front. Having said all of that, he still makes most appeal here based on his second to Pedrobob in the County Hurdle the time before last, and we are going to give him one more chance to capture that elusive big prize. Emmpat won well enough at Fairyhouse just 11-days ago and may have more to offer, while Carraciola looks held by the selection on Cheltenham form but in turn makes more appeal than stablemate Shatabdi. The four-year-old Altilhar has a handy weight allowance, and talking of weight, none of the last six winners of this have carried more than 11st, which does not bode well for Penzance. Ouninpohja gets the vote.
Penzance Evensjt-fav (11-10) Chased winner, ridden after 4 out, rallied 2 out, weakened close home, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Pablo Du Charmil (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Ouninpohja (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Held up, smooth headway approaching 3 out, stalked leader from 2 out, hung left before last, found little flat, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Blythe Knight (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
Caracciola (GER) 16-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, every chance last, no extra, 6th of 28, 3l behind Pedrobob (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Premier Dane (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway and hit 2 out, soon ridden, ran on and every chance flat, no extra close home, 3rd of 28, 1 1/2l behind Pedrobob (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Shatabdi (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, chased leader approaching 3 out, seven lengths down in 2nd when left in lead last, no extra when headed towards finish, 3rd of 22, 1/2l behind Two Miles West (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd.
Aleron (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden 11th, struggling next, 7th of 12, 39l behind Idole First (11-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Emmpat (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Mid-division, 10th 4 out, smooth headway after next, 2nd approaching 2 out, led before last, ran on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gf beating New Field (10-1) by 3l, 23 ran.
Altilhar (USA) 11-2 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden into narrow advantage last, driven out, won at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar beating Mon Michel (10-4) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
