held up, steady headway after 6th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, every chance after last no extra close home
led, headed 5th, led again 6th, headed and weakened next
in touch, joined leader 4th, led 5th, headed next, soon ridden and weakened after
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, jumped right last and headed soon after, faded
held up rear, headway after 4 out, joined leaders on bit last, ridden soon after, led, hung right flat and kept on
held up, headway after 6th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, losing place when slow jump 4th, weakened 4 out
Ouninpohja, Lord Baskerville and Iffy look the ones to consider here, with the classy Flat performer Ouninpohja taken to atone for a disappointment last time. After scoring at Stratford and Aintree, Iffy ran a good race in defeat at Newbury last time, finishing a good third to Afsoun. That was a sound effort and he looks sure to go well. Lord Baskerville won three on the bounce last summer, and was highly tried last time in the Tolworth Hurdle and was not disgraced. he should not be discounted. Ouninpohja won impressively first time out at Taunton, but could finish only third when odds on next time, behind De Soto. that has turned out to be decent form, and given a freshening break, Ouninpohja can put his Flat speed to good use and take this.
Ouninpohja (IRE) 2-7fav (11-4) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 14, 11l behind De Soto (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Lord Baskerville 100-1 (11-7) Led until after 2nd, tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 31l behind Silverburn (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Jan.
Iffy 12-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Afsoun (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Nikola (FR) 22-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden 5th, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 40l behind Ashley Brook (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy in Jan.
Sunday City (JPN) 8-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and headway to lead approaching 3 out, kept on until headed approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Forthright (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd.
Kickahead (USA) 13-2 (10-4) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway after 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 14, 13l behind Princelet (10-10) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Rustler 5-2fav (11-0) In touch, mistake 5th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 13, 22l behind Kanad (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jan.
Hoh Nelson 100-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 16, 25l behind Abraham Smith (10-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
