held up in rear, slow 1st, headway before 14th, went 2nd next, led 3 out, jumped left and clear from next, stayed on well
jumped left, held up, headway 4th, went 2nd 9th, blundered and unseated rider 14th
prominent, went 2nd before 3th, bad mistake 5th, lost 2nd 9th, ridden after 11th, pecked 12th, left 2nd briefly 14th, weakened 4 out
led until 2nd, hampered and lost place 4th, tailed off from 10th
jumped left at times, mistake 1st, led next, mistake 13th, not fluent 4 out, headed next, no impression on winner next
held up, took keen hold, bumped 4th, headway 11th, ridden next, weakened 15th, pulled up before 2 out
O Ceallaigh was still in front when unseating his rider at Leicester two weeks ago and is the likely pace angle again but the 11-year-old probably lacks the class of MONBEG GOLD, who was taking on better opposition when second to The Dellercheckout over track and trip earlier this month. Optimised had a decent record under Rules last year and has won five times between the flags so warrants respect but the weights don’t favour Dieu Vivant or Munsaab.
Dieu Vivant (FR) 7-1 (12-6) Held up behind, headway to track leaders on inside 5 out, hit next, driven and outpaced after 2 out, no impression before last, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 26l behind The Dellercheckout (12-6) at Ludlow 3m (4) gs in Feb.
Monbeg Gold (IRE) 11-10fav (12-6) Held up, took closer order on outside 12th, effort 3 out, slipped on landing next, every chance last, ridden and readily outpaced by winner flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind The Dellercheckout (12-6) at Ludlow 3m (4) gs in Feb.
Optimised (IRE) 4-7fav (11-7) Led til hdd 2 out; one pce, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Alfstar (11-7) at Bangor-on-dee 3m hvy in Jan.
Munsaab (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 6th, headed 3 out, beaten soon after last, 2nd of 6, 17l behind Carter Mckay (12-0) at Cartmel 3m 1f (5) sft in May.
O Ceallaigh (IRE) 4-1fav (12-0) Soon led, headed 9th, led again when mistake and unseated rider normal 4 out, at Leicester 2m 7f (5) hvy in Feb.
Skyhill Allstar (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Drpd rr 8; lost tch 11; t.o & pu 15, at Larkhill 3m gd in Dec.