Hmmm, I didn't say this explicitly but based on the first of the two questions I asked, you should definitely try if rebuilding statistics (or rebuilding with fullscan) on all...

NB: In the explanation below, I use table and column names from the execution plan, which are not exactly the same as in the query you posted.

So as...

I understand where the responses posted by Steve and Gail are coming from, but I do not agree with them.

@steve-2: Yes there is a key lookup,...

Grant posts a great wake-up call. I must admit that I felt for the technical challenge of your question, but Grant is right in taking a step back and wondering...