tracked leader, close up 4th, led briefly 7th, with leader, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden after 8th, never near leaders, weakened after 3 out
led, clear to 4th, headed briefly 7th, driven after 4 out, headed when edged right before 2 out, no extra before last
mid-division on inside, lost place and behind 8th, headway under pressure after 3 out, ridden into 2nd after next, every chance flat, no extra towards finiish
in touch, driven after 3 out, ridden after next, went 3rd and kept on under pressure from last, no impression
towards rear, headway after 7th, never reached leaders, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden before 3 out, never on terms, weakened before next
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never threatened leaders
in touch, lost place after 7th, behind from 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, close up 6th, driven and outpaced by front pair after 3 out, soon lost place, no impression from next
held up in last pair, some headway 3 out, hit next, never threatened leaders, blundered last, soon weakened
in touch, reminders and lost place after 7th, behind from next, tailed off 4 out, pulled up next
held up in last pair, ridden after 4 out, stayed on past beaten rivals after 2 out, never nearer
mid-division on outside, headway 7th, went 2nd 3 out, led before next, soon ridden, stayed on when pressed flat, going away towards finish
Optimistic Bias completed a hat-trick in staying chases in early 2017 and raced in much better company in two subsequent runs so would have a chance if ready after a long break. Captain Cargo was having only his second start under Rules when narrowly beaten over the course and distance last month and makes his handicap debut. SUNNYTAHLIATEIGAN found the ground too quick at Doncaster after a very good effort at Cheltenham and his rider's claim can see him back in the winner's enclosure. Mogestic will like the trip and ground and pops up every now and then but Marley Firth hasn't taken to fences and has been an expensive failure the last twice.
Optimistic Bias (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) With leader, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 17 1/4l behind Audacious Plan (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Oxford Blu 12-1 (11-5) Towards rear, hit 6th, behind and no chance after, 6th of 9, 30 1/4l behind Rough Night (10-9) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Perfect Pirate 4-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 2nd, not fluent and behind 5th, pulled up before 11th, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Captain Cargo 12-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 8th, went 2nd 2 out, one pace between last 2, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, always held, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind De Name Evades Me (10-12) at Warwick 3m 2f (4) gd in Nov.
Quick Pick (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 2nd and hanging left before 3 out, beaten next, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 21 1/4l behind Sizing Cusimano (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
After Aspen (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) In rear, not fluent 1st and reminders, ridden 10th, struggling 12th, pulled up 4 out, at Bangor 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Sackett 7-1 (11-4) Led to 6 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 30 1/2l behind Walt (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Marley Firth (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Held up, not always fluent, reminder after 8th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next, at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Sunnytahliateigan (IRE) 7-4fav (10-8) Chased leaders, challenged 2 out, 3rd and no impression before last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Big Time Dancer (10-11) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in Dec.
Savanna Roar (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 14th of 20, 27 1/4l behind Bright Forecast (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (3) sft in Nov.
Gamain (IRE) 10-1 (11-13) Chased leader until 2nd, chased leaders on inside and pushed along at times, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next, at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Falcons Fall (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Always behind, lost touch from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Mogestic (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden before last, no impression, 5th of 12, 15l behind Norse Legend (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Mighty Vic (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) In touch, weakened 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out, at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
His Dream (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, weakened next, behind and pulled up before 2 out, at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
