chased leaders, reminders after 5th, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway approaching 12th, ridden before next, weakened 14th
held up, headway from 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, one pace and no impression flat
in rear, blundered 3rd, behind until pulled up before 10th
chased leaders after 2nd, led 9th, headed 11th, led again 12th, clear 2 out, gamely
mid-division, headway after 14th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway 10th, weakened after 4 out
led to 9th, led 11th to 12th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, lost place 8th, pulled up before next
chased leader to 2nd, remained prominent, slipped approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 5th, chased winner after 3 out until approaching last, stayed on well flat
Optimistic Alfie can make the most of the weight that he receives from Mokum and Lord 'n' Master, with Mighty Matters and Denvale also worth a mention in a fairly open affair. Any one of those mentioned could come out on top, but Optimistic Alfie makes most appeal on the strength of his gutsy effort at Folkestone last time. Brendan Powell's charger was entitled to open his account that day, as he lined up on a mark of 75, having been rated 100 just two outings earlier. The handicapper has responded by putting him up 16lb, but that still only puts the seven-year-old on 91, surely a winning mark still. The third horse home at Folkestone, Poppy Maroon, has since won herself, so the form looks good enough, and Optimistic Alfie should go close under Warren Marston. The six-year-old Mokum has been pretty consistent and will have his supporters, but he has to give a stone to the selection, while Lord 'n' Master might prefer more cut in the ground. The same comment applies to Mighty Matters, although on the plus side he has won round here in the past. The ground is turning against Denvale as well, but he too can boast course form, having won a hunter-chase here last year. There are plenty of ifs and buts here, and the progressive Optimistic Alfie is saddled with the vote.
Heros Collonges (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until 7th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Milan Deux Mille (11-1) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
Mr Splodge 9-1 (11-9) Held up last of main group, headway into mid-division 7th, led 12th, headed and weakened early flat, 6th of 9, 15l behind Tommy Carson (10-0) at Plumpton 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Mokum (FR) 5-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, in touch, improved 3 out, led next, soon ridden, headed by omitted last fence, weakened final 100 yards, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Monteforte (11-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Exit Swinger (FR) 11-4jt-fav (12-7) Led from 2nd, headed after 8th, blundered when weakening 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Forty Shakes (11-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hts chs (6) gd, 7 ran.
Denvale (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Led to 3rd, remained close up, challenged from 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Kercabellec (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Mighty Matters (IRE) 10-3jt-fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway to go in touch 5th, ridden and went 3rd 3 out, close up 2 out, weakened by omitted last fence, 3rd of 9, 29l behind Kercabellec (10-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Cassia Heights 12-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden, weakened 16th, 7th of 9, well behind Good Book (11-4) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Lord 'n' Master (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 10th, not fluent 13th and 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 37l behind Bronson F'sure (10-4) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Jack Of Spades (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up rear, headway 10th, ridden and weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Gallik Dawn (10-2) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May '05, 11 ran.
Optimistic Alfie 9-4fav (10-11) In touch, tracked leading pair 10th, driven along from 13th, chased leader approaching 2 out, led approaching last, driven clear flat, won at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan beating Star Glow (11-5) by 17l, 9 ran.
Tank Buster 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 16th, chased leading pair from 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Good Book (11-4) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Magic of Sydney (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-4) Led 2nd to 5th, weakened after 10th, soon tailed off, 5th of 7, 36l behind Jimmy Tennis (11-12) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
