tracked winner until 11th, weakened from 4 out
held up in rear but in touch, chased winner from 11th, ridden and every chance after last, no extra last 100 yards
made all, hit 5th, hit 11th, ridden and pressed after last, kept on gamely last 100 yards, held on well
held up in touch, chased leading pair from 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, in rear but in touch from 11th, weakened from 4 out
QUOTICA DE POYANS won on his debut under Rules over C&D last March and, after a couple of falls, got back in the groove with a facile win at Friars Haugh last month. Open to much more improvement than his rivals, Simon Shirley-Beavan's seven-year-old should oblige today. General Striker doesn't look the force of old and was pulled up at Alnwick on his reappearance on the same day that Luksar finished third in a lesser contest on the card. Rose Dobbin's charge should strip fitter here, however, and is preferred to exposed Sheriff Hutton winner Optimistic Harry. Rimsky's fourth at Wetherby came in decent company, however, and he can't be ignored.
Luksar (IRE) 6-4 (12-7) Chsd ldrs; ev ch 15; wknd aft nxt, 3rd of 6, 18l behind Indian Print (12-4) at Alnwick 3m ptp gs in Jan.
Optimistic Harry 11-4 (11-0) Smooth hdwy by-passing 14; led last; stayed on wl, won at Sheriff Hutton 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Narciso (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Quotica De Poyans (FR) 1-4 (12-7) Made all lft clr 14; unchall, won at Friars Haugh 3m ptp in Jan beating Windy Hills (12-0) by 5l, 4 ran.
General Striker 10-1 (11-0) A bhnd; to & pu 3 out, in a race won by Queen of Diamonds (10-7) at Alnwick 3m ptp gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Rimsky (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Held up in touch and keen, mistake 10th, weakening when mistake 5 out, went remote 4th after last, 4th of 11, well behind Baby Run (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hts chs (6) gs.
