went right start and slowly away, soon led and made rest, mistake 4th, ridden and clear from 2 out, held on towards finish, driven out
in touch and in rear, went 3rd from 1st, left 2nd at 7th, ridden before 2 out, kept on from last, held towards finish
tracked winner and keen, hit 5th, in 2nd when faultered and pulled up before 7th
tracked leaders and keen, jumped slow 1st and dropped to rear, jumped slow 2nd, detached from 6th, soon tailed off
Optimist, placed twice in bumpers, shaped with promise on his hurdling debut at Doncaster in March but was then a little disappointing when only fourth at Hexham over further. He again has his stamina to prove here and may find GROUSE LODGE too strong. Donald McCain's winning pointer made an impressive start to his career under Rules when running away with a bumper here last month and looks a nice prospect over hurdles and fences. Gwladys Street hasn't shown much over timber but still makes more appeal than the modest Witch Way.
Grouse Lodge (IRE) 9-4fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, led 10f out, hard pressed over 2f out, driven clear over 1f out, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Apr beating Indian Voyage (10-5) by 13l, 8 ran.
Gwladys Street (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Towards rear, not fluent 6th, behind after next, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Benheir (11-6) at Bangor 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Optimist (GER) 7-2 (10-7) Behind, jumped slowly 5th, headway 4 out, soon under pressure, kept on approaching last, never able to challenge, 4th of 9, 13l behind Nodform Richard (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Witch Way 12-1 (11-12) Held up; stdy hdwy 12; wknd 15; pu nxt, in a race won by Shankyle Park (12-5) at Hornby Castle 3m ptp gd in Apr, 14 ran.
