in touch and keen, not much room just under 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on well to lead inside final furlong
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden and soon headed, no extra well inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon led, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, soon eased
dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, kept on towards finish
towards rear, effort over 1f out, soon weakened
MR OPTIMISTIC has won three of his last six starts and may not have stopped improving yet. He's yet to encounter a soft surface but his half-brother was at his best with plenty of cut and a chance is taken on Richard Fahey's gelding going in again. Thirteen Shivers won his first handicap at York last time and is 6lb higher today, while Crimson Knot and Dasho seem to be treading water off their current marks. Captain Kolo won his maiden last year in soft ground and looks best of the rest having gone close at Thirsk on Monday.
Mr Optimistic 6-1fav (9-7) Mid-division, outpaced when not clear run 2f out to over 1f out, headway inside final furlong, ridden and ran on towards finish, not reached leaders, 5th of 19, 2l behind Thirteen Shivers (9-0) at York 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Thirteen Shivers 16-1 (9-0) With leader, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at York 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Apace (9-4) by 1l, 19 ran.
Crimson Knot (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, soon one pace, 5th of 13, 6l behind Lexi's Hero (9-7) at Chester 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Dasho 10-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and not much room over 1f out, soon switched right, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Bassett Road (8-11) at Haydock 6f 3yo stk 0-80 (4) gd.
Luv U Too 25-1 (8-5) Led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 18, 30l behind Eucharist (9-3) at Doncaster 6f 2yo fll hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Captain Kolo (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed near finish, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Dream Catcher (8-13) at Thirsk 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Tro Nesa (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Dwelt, in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind The Mellor Fella (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Rutterkin (USA) 80-1 (8-3) Held up behind, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, soon tailed off, last of 12, well behind Sud Pacifique (9-7) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.