chased leaders, not fluent 5th, behind from 8th, stayed on to almost grab remote 2nd near finish
made all, drew clear from 3 out
chased winner, hit 9th, ridden and beaten after 3 out, weakened 2 out, jumped slowly last, just held on for 2nd
raced in 4th, lost touch from 5th
The disappointing turnout for the best race on the card tempers enthusiasm but the recent good form of OGREE catches the eye and the course and distance scorer should be going in again ahead of Shore Thing and Mount Benger. High class over hurdles, the selection made a winning debut over fences when just dispensing of some useful types over this trip last time. The conditions are no problem and if he is as good in this sphere as he is over timber he will be too classy. Shore Thing was on a good run of form before unseating his rider when challenging on his last chase start. A few solid efforts on the level since will have him fit again but he has stamina to prove over this trip. Mount Benger has no stamina worries and looks a solid alternative for the forecast spot.
Mount Benger 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened after 10th, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Giovanna (11-5) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Ogee 2-1fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led after last, soon under pressure, just held on, won at Bangor 2m 4f noc chs (4) gd in Sep beating R De Rien Sivola (9-11) by shd, 10 ran.
Shore Thing (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, prominent 4th, blundered and unseated rider 8th, in a race won by Flemross (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov stks (4) gd in Jun, 14 ran.
Mad Professor (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Prominent, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 12, 40l behind Max Bygraves (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
