held up in rear, mistake, unseated rider 7th
led, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out, one pace
tracked leaders, headway after 11th, led 3 out, 7 lengths clear approaching last, kept on well
mid-division, ridden 5 out, soon weakened
always in rear, keen, pulled up 5 out
in touch, mistake 2nd, weakened 8th, mistake 9th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out
held up mid division, hit 1st, ridden, weakened 8th, pulled up 5 out
tracked leader throughout, driven 5 out, ridden, weakening when hit 3 out
always behind
mid-division, ridden, stayed on from 4 out, took 3rd flat
Very Optimistic has leading claims and is the pick ahead of Special Rate, Rakalackey and Give Me Love. Very Optimistic was useful on his day over hurdles but has failed to progress over the last 12 months, so has recently embarked on a career over the bigger obstacles. There was a lot to like about his debut over fences at Exeter in November as he finished well clear of the third horse when chasing home Lord Killeshandra, and with normal improvement he can go one better. Special Rate has been on the sidelines for quite a long time, but he too was progressive over timber last year and is worth noting whatever he does today. Rakalackey will come on for his return at Fontwell, but any more easing of the ground will not be in his favour, while in contrast Give Me Love shaped well here in testing conditions when third on his chase bow and cannot be ruled out entirely. However, Very Optimistic is going the right way and should prove hard to beat.
Give Me Love (FR) 3-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Le Volfoni (10-7) at Chepstow 2m beg chs (D) hvy.
Launde (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Jumped left, led to 6th, hit 4 out, every chance 3 out, weakening when hampered 2 out, 5th of 10, 23l behind Alderburn (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd.
Lustral du Seuil (FR) 9-2 (11-5) In touch, went 2nd 4 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 5l behind Cornish Sett (11-5) at Newbury 2m 1f beg chs (D) gd in Nov.
Rakalackey 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, mistake last, weakaned quickly, 4th of 9, 10l behind Balladeer (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (E) sft.
Roussea (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Raced without tonguestrap, chased leader, weakened before 5th, well behind before hit 2 out, 7th of 25, 43l behind Craven (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gs.
Special Rate (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, pushed along 7th, ridden and droped rear after 4 out, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Royal Rosa (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Feb '04.
Stars'n'stripes (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Mid-division, tracked leaders 5th, ridden, weakened quickly after 13th, 8th of 14, well behind Lough Derg (11-6) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (D) gs.
Very Optimistic (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 9th, pecked 13th, with leader and every chance 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Lord Killeshanra (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (C) gs in Nov.
Windy Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, mistake 13th, soon ridden, weakened quickly and pulled up 2 out in race won by Comanche War Paint (11-12) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf in Nov, 7 ran.
Latin Queen (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 8, 13l behind Supreme Serenade (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov chs (E) gs.
