held up in touch, went 3rd 5 out, every chance 2 out, one pace from last, lost 2nd place close home
held up in rear, weakened before 5 out
prominent, ridden before 4 out, kept on from last, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
mid-division, weakened before 5 out
led, ridden before 3 out, headed before 2 out, faded run-in
held up towards rear, blundered 8th, soon dropped to rear, headway before 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, kept on from last, went 4th near finish
held up mid-division, tailed off before 12th, pulled up before 5 out
tracked leaders, in 6th 2 out, soon weakened
chased leader, led before 2 out, clear last
in rear, weakened from 5 out
mid-division, mistake 2nd, reminder before 9th, tailed off before 12th, pulled up before 6 out
Tim Vaughan and Richard Johnson teamed up to land a novices' handicap chase here last week with SPANISH OPTIMIST and can repeat the trick. The eight-year-old was bouncing back to form that day and though it was over 2m4f he has a victory over the track and trip to his credit and it's no surprise to see him running with a penalty. Rogue Dancer followed several very poor efforts with a much better run over 3m3f at Newton Abbot where he attracted very strong support. He's well handicapped at present and looks a live threat along with Big Sound, who has produced three strong runs in novice handicaps including here last month. State Department, who makes his debut over fences, was just touched off over 2m7f at Fontwell and, as that was his first effort at this sort of trip he has to be on the shortlist if his jumping holds out. Johnnys Legacy looks best of the remainder.
Spanish Optimist (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Prominent, led when not fluent 3 out, clear last, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd beating Alf The Audacious (11-11) by 7l, 7 ran.
Sir Lynx (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 10th, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 11, 29l behind Sail And Return (11-8) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Big Sound 4-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, outpaced before 4 out, headway 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, nearest at finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Best Boy Barney (11-8) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
State Department 12-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd after 7th, not fluent next, led when hit 2 out, rider dropped whip flat, headed towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Nether Stream (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf in Jun.
Johnnys Legacy (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Prominent, ridden 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 12, 9l behind Moorlands Jack (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gf.
Mia's Anthem (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up, soon towards rear, improved into 4th 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 9l behind Mighty Whitey (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 5f beg chs gf in Jun.
Special Mate 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, last of 8, 40l behind Bens Moor (10-6) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft in May.
Our Georgie Girl 100-1 (10-7) Chased leader until approaching 6th, soon dropped to rear, struggling 9th, left in poor 4th before 4 out, rallied before 2 out, kept on run-in, almost snatched poor 3rd but no chance with leading duo, 4th of 6, well behind Luci Di Mezzanotte (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f beg chase (4) gd.
Rogue Dancer (FR) 11-4fav (9-11) Took keen hold tracking leader, led 14th until 4 out, chased winner, held from 2 out, kept on well for clear 2nd, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Moss Grove (11-1) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
Celtic Fella (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Hampered 1st, behind, headway before 2 out, disputing well held 4th when went left and bumped 2 out, kept on flat into never dangerous 3rd close home, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Moss Grove (11-1) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
Gorhams Gift 20-1 (9-11) Mistakes, soon behind, struggling 8th, lost touch and pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Handsome Dan (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Jun, 8 ran.
