This race is nothing if not fiercely competitive but we'll side with MISTER POUS to get the better of Screenscraper and Prairie Spirit. Daryll Jacob's mount is 11 now but remains capable of obliging in this sort of contest, a feeling enhanced by his last two placed efforts. The first of those came behind the improving mare Noune De La Thinte and a 5lb rise for defeat doesn't appear harsh, so with a solid third since adding strength to his recent form figures we'll side with the veteran now stepped back up in trip. Screenscraper is only narrowly opposed as he comes with an unexposed profile and could be better than this mark. Evan Williams' point-to-point winner scored in decisive fashion at Perth last time, but that was back in July and with the step back in trip being viewed as a negative the percentage call looks to be to oppose him. Prairie Spirit is up 21lbs since winning back to back races when last seen over timber. Judging by the second of those, a narrow success off 89, this mark of 110 would appear harsh to say the least, but that effort perhaps came too soon and the manner of his previous victory would fully merit this rise. This six-year-old remains capable of improvement and a spin on the flat will have helped blow away any cobwebs, so Charlie Longsdon's animal could go close to defying the handicapper. Dabaratsa was well supported last time but didn't show enough to get the vote here, although it'll be interesting to see whether money once again comes for Tim Vaughan's top-weight. At the other end of the weights Minnie Hill could get closer to our pick than when they met in December, but it is hard to make a case for her reversing the form here. Share Option will be suited by stepping down in trip and could be overpriced but there have to be doubts concerning the ground whilst Reland will need to improve plenty on his handicap debut but does remain capable of doing so. Ballamusic was pulled up on his return from a lengthy absence so can only be watched at present, so of more interest is Requin who should be suited by an increase in distance and soft ground. This is a tricky puzzle to solve but there may be value to be found in the shape of Mister Pous.
Dabaratsa (FR) 3-1fav (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4th to approaching 3 out, still every chance, weakened from 2 out, left modest 4th last, 4th of 7, 7l behind Ocean Transit (11-3) at Ludlow 2m mares hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Prairie Spirit (FR) 2-5fav (10-6) Held up, headway 7th, went 3rd soon after next, went 2nd well before 2 out, soon challenging, led before last, driven and kept on well flat, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) fm in Apr beating Foreign King (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Screenscraper (IRE) 11-8fav (10-11) Made all, driven out, stayed on well, won at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jul beating Baaher (11-0) by 4l, 11 ran.
Mae Cigan (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Jumped moderately, held up, headway after 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 12, 23l behind L'Eau Du Nil (11-2) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Golden Alchemist 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, pushed along after 6, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 11, 23l behind I Hear A Symphony (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Mister Pous (FR) 4-1fav (11-1) Tracked leading pair, chased leader from 3 out, lost 2nd after 2 out, soon hung right under pressure and no impression, 3rd of 12, 8l behind The Rainbow Hunter (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
My Fella (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 18th of 20, well behind Carrigeen King (11-5) at Cork 2m 3f mdn hdl (6yo+) sft in Apr.
Sun Quest 66-1 (10-12) In touch, hit 4th, driven and outpaced 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 13, 26l behind Cobbler's Queen (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Ballamusic (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Cobbler's Queen (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Requin (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, lost place 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 15, 31l behind Chain Of Command (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Reland (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, 11th of 16, well behind Stoop To Conquer (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Share Option 10-3fav (11-3) Held up in rear, keen early, headway after 7th, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 16l behind Quinte Du Chatelet (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
A Haon A Do (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Always in rear, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Vino Griego (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Minnie Hill (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Mid-division on outside, headway 3 out, chased leading pair next, soon ridden, edged right and lost 3rd flat, 4th of 15, 12l behind Vivarini (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
