with leader on inside, led 3rd, hit 10th, not fluent and headed 12th, led again approaching 13th, hit 15th, clear and hit 3 out, stayed on well
in rear in 4th, chased leading pair from 8th, hit 4 out, weakened from next, pulled up before last
led, headed 3rd, led again 12th, headed approaching 13th, blundered next, pushed along after 4 out, beaten from 2 out
tracked leaders on outer in 3rd, not fluent next, in rear from 8th, left remote 3rd approaching last
OGEE has a question mark or two over this ground but should still prove good enough to fend off Pennek and chasing debutant Fresh Winter. The last-named is not to be dismissed here despite representing a smaller yard. John Mackie has done well over the last 12 months and this son of Overbury was a 137-rated hurdler when last seen on the track 689 days ago and he handles soft ground well. The conditions may be a slight worry for Ogee however he has the class to see him through. He has won two of his three chase starts to date and wasn't disgraced behind Long Run in the other. Pennek could make this interesting if he tries to stretch the likely favourite. He is more of a dour stayer than Ogee but he is yet to fully convince over fences, although a solid run here would make him quite interesting for something like the William Hill Chase at Cheltenham next month. Phoenix Des Mottes completes the field and looks to be making up the number as his modest chase form so far and his official rating leaves him plenty to find. Intriguing stuff, with the nod going to Ogee.
Ogee 15-2 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 12th, headway approaching 3 out, left in remote 3rd next, never able to challenge, 3rd of 7, 41l behind Long Run (11-0) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Fresh Winter 11-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 6th, driven after 10th, no impression before 2 out, 7th of 22, 18l behind Forest Pennant (10-13) at Aintree 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr '08.
Pennek (FR) 9-4 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Fabalu (11-0) at Bangor 3m beg chase (4) hvy.
Phoenix Des Mottes (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 13, 18l behind Roseneath (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m 5yo nov hcp (4) sft in Jan.
