raced keenly, chased leaders, led 2nd until after 14th, chased leader until 16th, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 15th, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, hit 2 out, driven along in 3rd after 2 out, ridden and weakened run-in
raced wide, chased leader until 10th, chased leaders, 2nd again 16th until approaching 2 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, led after 14th, ridden and headed briefly after 2 out, soon in front again, idled run-in, just held on
held up in rear, good headway tracking leaders approaching 4 out, led after 2 out until ridden before last, chased winner, kept on under pressure run-in, just held
held up in last pair, jumped slowly 13th, reminders after next, stayed on in into 4th place and plenty to last, strong run flat, went 3rd towards finish and closed, just held
raced widest, led until 2nd, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
The hat-trick seeking Optimistic Bias has plenty in his favour again here, not least proven stamina. Emerald Rose kept on well to score over 3m at Market Rasen last month but has only been tried beyond that trip once before and was well beaten. Kilbree Kid has ability but looks to be back in the handicapper’s grip and stable-companion Gorsky Island is best watched at present, along with Berea Boru. Big Casino stopped quickly last month at Fakenham so the vote goes to ADAM DU BRETEAU. Jumping remains an issue but he would have won at Fontwell last time had he not blundered at the last and is only 1lb higher.
Adam du Breteau (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Led 2nd, not fluent 3 out, joined next, shaken up and about 1 length ahead when blundered last, headed run-in, kept on but not recover, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Kilfinichen Bay (11-10) at Fontwell 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Berea Boru (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, jumped left 1st, lost place before not fluent 4th, mistake 11th, some headway 14th, weakened next, 8th of 10, 26 1/4l behind Minellacelebration (10-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (2) gd in May.
Kilbree Kid (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leader until 3rd, chased leaders, weakened after 14th, 6th of 10, 34l behind In The Rough (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (3) gs in May.
Optimistic Bias (IRE) 5-2fav (12-0) Led until 9th, chased leader, challenged 3 out, led before last, driven flat, idled close home, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in May beating Compadre (12-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Gorsky Island 9-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, 2nd briefly 7th, pushed along and outpaced after 14th, weakened soon after, 8th of 10, dist behind Super Scorpion (11-2) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Emerald Rose 4-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 10th, challenged after 4 out, upsides when blundered next, soon ridden, led narrowly last, kept on well final 100 yards, won at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in May beating William Money (11-10) by 2l, 5 ran.
Big Casino 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden 16th, weakened next, struggling and jumped very slow 4 out, pulled up 2 out, at Fakenham 3m 5f hcp (3) gf in May.
