led until 4th, outpaced and dropped rear next, 18 lengths behind 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, led last, driven out
prominent, led 4th until 6th, ridden and every chance approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out, eased flat
chased leading trio, outpaced and lost touch after 7th, stayed on from 4 out, went 2nd and blundered 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, no extra
chased leaders until 7th, mistake next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 5th, went left and led 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, headed last, weakened
A tricky race to evaluate as Ouninpojha really should crush his rivals; whilst he never makes life easy, class may well tell and so he gets the nod ahead of the French recruit Zorro De La Vega. The last-named certainly needs a check in the betting as he gets plenty of weight as a younger horse and whilst his French form is hard to weight up, his stable have a knack with those they draft from across the Channel. However, Ouninpojha, rated in the 140's over hurdles should really have too many guns. He needs to jump the fences on this, his chasing debut, but it looks interesting that connections are going down this route after a fairly modest showing in a recent valuable Ascot handicap hurdle; the blinkers are off for this run as well. Pseudonym has shown plenty of potential on two recent starts over fences and cannot be taken lightly, whilst Thunder Child and Eluvaparty both looks out of their depth. Class should tell here, and Ouninpohja can score.
Eluvaparty 66-1 (10-10) Led to 8th, weakened next and pulled up 4 out in race won by Hennessy (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May, 15 ran.
Ouninpohja (IRE) 10-3fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, some headway 6th, soon ridden, beaten when slightly hampered 2 out, 10th of 16, 14l behind Kanad (9-7) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf.
Pseudonym (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Led until after 2nd, chased winner to 4th and again after 5th, jumped slowly 4 out, hard ridden to challenge flat, held near finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind Calideo (11-2) at Warwick 2m nov chs (3) gf.
Thunder Child 66-1 (11-2) Always behind, hit 8th, lost touch when unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Ornais (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd, 5 ran.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) (10-3) 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Patient (10-10) at Toulouse 2m 1f ch in Oct.
