held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 2 out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
in rear and keen, detached from 3rd, tailed off 3 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, led well after 2 out, pushed clear flat
held up mid-division, headway 4th, weakened after 2 out
held up, headway after 4th, chased winner well after 2 out, no impression
mid-division, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, ridden well after 2 out, stayed on moderately
tracked leaders and keen, lost place and dropped rear 4th, pulled up before 3 out
Ouninpohja was rated one hundred and ten on the flat and was impressive on his hurdles bow so can double up at the expense of Mandatum and The Grey Man. The selection looked good when winning over course and distance last time out. He won comfortably that day and the type good enough to follow up with a few penalties. Mandatum is having his first run for new connections over hurdles. His flat form was average as he did manage to win of seveny nine at Salisbury during the summer. He will struggle to beat the favourite today though but is one for the forecast. The Grey Man has experience on his side having won last time out over course and distance and looks an improving type but he runs with the same weight as the market leader and has no chance at the weights to overturn him. So for the winner we return to Ouninpohja.
Ouninpohja (IRE) 4-6fav (11-0) In touch, headway 6th, joined leader last, soon led, shaken up, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Corran Ard (11-0) by 1l, 14 ran.
The Grey Man 7-4fav (10-11) Made all, quickened approaching 2 out, hit 2 out and last, ridden out flat, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Templer (11-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
She's Our Daisy (IRE) 15-8 (10-9) Made all and soon clear, ridden after 3 out, hung right from 2 out, ran on gamely, won at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Basic Fact (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Adare Prince (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Led to 4th, chased winner until weakened 3 out, eased when no chance from 2 out, 4th of 13, 30l behind My Turn Now (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Balearic Star (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Noble Raider (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
De Soto 11-8 (10-12) Chased clear leader, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no impression, 7th of 9, 33l behind Pepporoni Pete (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Fox 'n' Goose (IRE) 125-1 (11-0) In rear and mistakes, lost touch 7th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Kanpai (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Oct, 7 ran.
Liakoura (GER) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, challenged 2 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Nobelix (10-12) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Mandatum 4-1 (9-9) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Boot 'n Toot (8-6) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) frm in Sept (Flat).
Oceanos des Obeaux (FR) April Night gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Nymphe Des Obeaux.
Senior Whim 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders to 3 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 13, 29l behind Nobelix (10-12) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Tres Bien 20-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 9, 13l behind Kia Kaha (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Webbswood Lad (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden and not much room over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 10l behind Young Mick (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar (Flat).
Uig 66-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, always in rear, 10th of 14, well behind Ornais (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
