led until 4th, not fluent 7th (water), pushed along to press winner who was going well when not fluent last, outpaced flat
tracked leader, challenged 2nd, led 4th, not fluent 7th (water), nudged slightly to quicken away from rival flat, easily
Ballyoptic ran in the top staying races over hurdles last season after winning a Grade 3 handicap at Chepstow but was often let down by his jumping so how he'll handle the switch to fences is anybody's guess, though he's sure to have had plenty of schooling and had a spin at Newton Abbot last month. KEEPER HILL has always looked like a chaser in the making so did well to win three times over timber last season, including a Listed race. He ran in Grade 1 contests at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring and wasn't disgraced and can complete a quick double for Warren Greatrex. Max Forte may yet make a decent handicapper but Lined With Silver may be out of his depth.
Lined With Silver (IRE) 4-1fav (11-4) In rear, pulled up after 4th, at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Keeper Hill (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 8th, squeezed through on inside to chase leaders on bend before 2 out, driven and beaten after 2 out, 5th and weakening last, 6th of 11, 18 1/4l behind The Worlds End (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gd in Apr.
Max Forte (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd 2 out, every chance before last, held by winner flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Iora Glas (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Ballyoptic (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed before not fluent 2 out, beaten after, lost 4th flat, 5th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Beer Goggles (11-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
