made virtually all, pressed from 6th, 1 length ahead last, ridden and pressed again flat, held on
tracked winner, challenged 6th, ridden after 4 out, 1 length down last, rallied flat, just held
reminders and well behind from 3rd, pulled up before 4 out
NonRunner
Rayvin Black was trying to give champion hurdler Buveur D’Air 4lb when only beaten a length-and-a-half at Sandown a year ago and can’t have the ground soft enough. But he’s been a little disappointing this term and is jumping fences late in life so may struggle to contain OPTIMUS PRIME, who is conceding plenty of weight to his rivals but was very impressive at Plumpton after beating an odds-on favourite at Worcester. Sussex Road pays his way by completing in his own time for place money in small fields and The Lion Man is 0-22 under Rules.
Optimus Prime (FR) 8-11fav (11-5) Jumped well, made most, drew clear on bit after 2 out, unextended, very easily, won at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) gs in Dec beating Shaama Grise (10-7) by 12l, 4 ran.
Rayvin Black 28-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened after next, 7th of 8, dist behind Wholestone (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Sussex Road (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Always last, outpaced and struggling 10th, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Ramses De Teillee (11-4) at Chepstow 3m (3) hvy in Jan.
The Lion Man (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, weakened before 4 out, 8th of 16, 27 3/4l behind Triopas (11-9) at Towcester 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
