held up in rear, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 13th
towards rear, went 4th at 15th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled before 2 out
led, hit 9th, not fluent next, headed after 4 out, weakening in 3rd when left 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
tracked leader, joined leader 13th, reminders approaching 4 out, quickly weakened and pulled up
held up towards rear, headway approaching 16th, led after 4 out, left clear after 2 out, kept on well
tracked leaders, weakeneing when hampered approaching 4 out by horse pulling up, left poor 3rd 2 out
mid-division, went 3rd at 6th, headway 15th, a close 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
ISLAND FLYER fell at the first when fancied for the Fox Hunters' chase at Aintree last time but he can gain quick compensation by landing this at the expense of Leading Man and Dix Villez. Tom George's only eight and has had a relatively light career, winning four of just 18 starts under rules. The last of them came over two years ago but the gelding took a point-to-point recently to advertise his wellbeing and should be a cut above these. He can take care of Leading Man, another without a win under rules for some time but he too has been running well between the flags. He'll be fine on the ground and at his best would take some beating, but he's 10 now and wasn't running with much enthusiasm when last seen under rules. He may have to settle for minor honours but should hold Dix Villez in the protracted battle for second. The last mentioned ran well last time when just touched off, likes the ground and was once a very smart tool, but he's got the unfortunate habit of throwing in a bad mistake and is taken on with that in mind. Optimistic Harry beat Dix Villez last time but a 4lb turnaround in the weights should reverse the placings, so Floreana is more interesting. She would've surely won that contest had she not refused to jump the last and could go close providing she consents to. An interesting Hunters' Chase that might go to Island Flyer if over his Aintree mishap.
Almost Blue (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) In rear lost touch 9th, soon tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Silver Sedge (12-1) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (4) gs.
Optimistic Harry 28-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, hit 7th, headway 15th, went 3rd 2 out, left 2nd last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hts chs (5) gf beating Dix Villez (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Dix Villez (FR) 5-2fav (11-7) Led, hit 16th, headed approaching 2 out, about 4 lengths down in 2nd and looking held when left in lead last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Optimistic Harry (11-7) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hts chs (5) gf.
Island Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders when fell 1st, in a race won by Silver Adonis (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs, 21 ran.
Leading Man (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) A cl up; led app 2 out; clr last, won at Overton 3m ptp gf in Mar beating Seaview Lass (11-7) by 7l, 7 ran.
Tynedale (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) (cp) led app 12; qcknd clr app last, won at Dalston 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Narciso (11-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
Floreana (GER) 7-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, joined leader 2 out, about 4 lengths up when refused last, in a race won by Optimistic Harry (11-7) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hts chs (5) gf, 7 ran.
