went left start, chased leader, challenged 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish
led, headed over 1f out, soon ridden and faded
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon ridden and no impression
in touch in 5th, every chance 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
slowly away, in rear, late headway inside final furlong, never dangerous
towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, no extra
with leader, weakened over 1f out
MR OPTIMISTIC bounced back to form with a victory over track and trip last month and remains on a decent mark compared to his best efforts. He gets the token vote ahead of Scommettitrice as the latter as yet to score on the all-weather. Slatey Hen has slipped down the weights and pops-up at this level on occasions as does Jonnie Skull though the latter was engaged to run at Lingfield yesterday. Almaty Express could prove best of the remainder.
Scommettitrice (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression, 7th of 10, 6l behind George Fenton (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Mr Optimistic 9-2 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan beating Ishetoo (9-1) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Almaty Express 25-1 (9-2) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, edged right last 100 yards, no extra, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind George Fenton (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
The Bendy Fella (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, in rear, staying on when short of room inside final furlong, never able to get on terms, 10th of 13, 7l behind Chandrayaan (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Illustrious Lad (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Raced wide close up, ridden halfway, pressed leader over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Divertimenti (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Sextons House (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 4th in closing stages, not pace to challenge, 4th of 11, 3l behind Vitznau (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
Slatey Hen (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Cincinnati Kit (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Microlight 25-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 6l behind Temple Road (9-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Rainbow Riches (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Chased leading trio, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 6l behind Spinning Ridge (8-13) at Lingfield 7f app hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Towards rear, riodden over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 9l behind Methaaly (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.