dispute lead until 12th, rallied to have every chance 3 out, driven to lead next, headed last, kept on one pace
close up in 4th place, headway to chase leader 4 out, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, challenged from 3 out, ridden to lead last, ran on
made most until ridden 3 out, weakened next
Spanish Optimist has been running poorly and will need to get back to his hurdling form but the remaining trio look closely matched. Keltic Rhythm will have found 2m6f on the short side at Fontwell but kept on battling and eventually got on top. Smart Catch has been raised a massive 13lb for last month's course and distance victory which could just prevent a follow up as ROC DE GUYE is only up 9lb for a comfortable success over a slightly shorter trip here two weeks ago.
Keltic Rhythm (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Tracked leader, led before 7th, ridden before 2 out, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Mar beating Venetian Lad (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Smart Catch (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up, often jumped left, hampered 5th, not fluent 9th, ridden and in touch from after 10th, went 2nd after 4 out, led before next where not fluent, clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Oh Right (10-1) by 12l, 7 ran.
Roc De Guye (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, headway after 7th, led 3 out, jumped right 2 out and last, edged right when clear flat, comfortably, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd beating Phoenix Des Mottes (9-9) by 8l, 7 ran.
Spanish Optimist (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Mistake 1st, held up in touch, weakened 11th, behind when pulled up 5 out, in a race won by Milosam (10-10) at Taunton 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 7 ran.
