tracked winner throughout, challenged 2 out, not fluent last, no extra, drifted right flat
made all, challenged 2 out, pressed last, ran on
held up, steady headway 3 out, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, soon faded
held up, not fluent 3 out, soon no impression
held up, chased leading pair from 3rd, ridden and close up last, one pace
tracked leaders to 3rd, ridden 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
OPTIMUS MAXIMUS is hard to oppose here despite conceding weight to all of his rivals; the one for the forecast could be Amore Mio who ran a fine race behind Zaynar last time. The selection was with Paul Cole on the level and connections paid a whopping 825,000 euros for him. He didn't make much of an impression on the flat but dropped straight into the ante-post betting for various Novice hurdle races at the festival with a fluent success at Newbury. He was well-backed on that occasion and sauntered clear up the run-in to slam his rivals. Whilst one could argue that it wasn't the strongest race for the track with the fourth home beaten since (Bruslini) and the third home (Mount Helicon) sporting a suspect attitude, there should be more to come and he can confirm his promise and take another step up the ladder perhaps on his way to the Fred Winter handicap. Amore Mio is the obvious danger; Emma Lavelle's gelding ran a big race at Ascot last time when battling hard late on having set the pace and been headed by the classy winner and also the eventual third. It must be noted however that the favourite under-performed, especially in the jumping department. Benedict Spirit was a three-time winner on the flat and could be a good recruit to hurdling, however this looks a tough introduction, whilst Double Parked is well-related but wasn't much cop on the level when last seen and Forget It represents canny connections and any market move would be interesting. Purely By Chance completes the field and looks to be making up the numbers; she has plenty to find with Amore Mio on their Ascot clash and may only become a factor if the ground becomes completely bottomless. Optimus looks primed for success.
Optimus Maximus (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Soon chased leader, led soon after 3 out, ridden clear before last, easily, won at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft beating Art Exhibition (11-5) by 12l, 10 ran.
Amore Mio (GER) 25-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Zaynar (11-4) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 3-1fav (8-0) In touch, effort over 2f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 7, 9l behind Nobelix (9-7) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol (Flat).
Double Parked (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Always towards rear, 21st of 23, 19l behind Old Chatham (9-12) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp 0-70 gf in Jul (Flat).
Forget It 3-1jt-fav (9-3) Raced keenly, led 2f, stayed prominent, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 6l behind Irish Ballad (8-11) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov (Flat).
Purely By Chance 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 7th of 9, 37l behind Zaynar (11-4) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs.
