challenged 2nd, led 5th, headed next, led again 9th, not fluent 16th, edged left bend before 2 out, pressed last, soon headed, stayed on
well behind, closed 8th, struggling from 14th
always well behind
chased leaders, blundered 7th, not fluent 11th, effort 14th, outpaced after 3 out, tried to close 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway 7th, challenged after 10th, not fluent 13th, struggling 15th, well held after, plugged on from 2 out
towards rear, headway 10th, challenged from 16th, hampered on bend before 2 out, 3rd and no extra flat
led until 2nd, led after next, headed 5th, led next, not fluent and headed 9th, mistake 12th, struggling before 14th
led 2nd, headed after next, chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on
Optimised has almost 13 lengths to find with Captain Cattistock on Cheltenham running but is 4lb better off. Sugar Baron, once a decent stayer for Nicky Henderson, only found one too good back under Rules last month but KILLARO BOY (NAP) could repeat his victory in this of 2019 given he ran an excellent race in the Aintree Foxhunters’ after a pipe-opener at Leicester. Dieu Vivant placed in a Ludlow handicap in February but has disappointed twice since in hunter chases.
Captain Cattistock 4-1 (11-10) Always prominent out wide, went 2nd after 3rd, led 11th, left clear 5 out, wandered before last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 4m (4) gd in Apr beating Sam Red (11-10) by 1l, 16 ran.
Dieu Vivant (FR) 6-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, jumped right 2nd, went 2nd 7th, every chance before 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 7, 22 3/4l behind Zamparelli (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 4f (5) gd in Mar.
Kelvingrove (IRE) 7-4fav (12-0) (cp) (tt) nvr nrr, 5th of 14, 23 1/2l behind Wayupinthebox (12-0) at Dingley 3m gd in May.
Killaro Boy (IRE) 18-1 (12-0) Held up in mid-division, closed 5 out, 9th 3 out, went 6th before elbow, no chance with leaders, dropped to 7th towards finish, 7th of 21, 22 1/4l behind Cousin Pascal (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) gs in Apr.
Optimised (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 5 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 16, 12 3/4l behind Captain Cattistock (11-10) at Cheltenham 4m (4) gd in Apr.
Southfield Royale 14-1 (11-0) Hdwy 6; outpcd 3 out; rallied nxt; led flat; stayed on wl, won at Mollington 3m gs in May beating General Arrow (11-3) by 4l, 7 ran.
Squirrel Esquire (12-0) No hdwy 13, 5th of 12, 23 1/2l behind Ballyboker Breeze (12-0) at Maisemore Park 3m gd in Mar.
Sugar Baron (IRE) 9-2 (12-1) Chased leader until 9th, chased leaders, went 2nd again 5 out, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 2nd of 8, 4 3/4l behind Monbeg Chit Chat (12-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (4) gd in Apr.
