took keen hold, held up in last trio, headway into 5th on inside 5f out, driven over 2f out, soon weakened and eased
held up in 5th, driven along 5f out, soon behind, eased when no chance final 2f, tailed off
ran in snatches in last trio, struggling over 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong
raced in close 4th, pushed along to go 3rd over 3f out, one pace 2f out, lost moderate 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leading pair, chased winner 4f out, driven and no impression 2f out, stayed on well for clear 2nd
chased winner, pushed along 5f out, lost 2nd 4f out, weakened quickly 3f out, soon tailed off and eased
made virtually all, ridden and in command 2f out, stayed on strongly, eased near finish
held up in last trio, headway under pressure on wide outside over 2f out, plugged on into moderate 3rd inside final furlong
Withdrawn
INCHNADAMPH is our idea of the winner with Alanbrooke and Mr Crystal the dangers. Tim Fitzgerald's charge has contested all the big staying handicaps and has been a model of consistency in pursuit of those prizes. The handicapper has relented somewhat and the gelding can make that valuable experience count. Alanbrooke galloped on strongly at Sandown to score over 1m6f when wearing first time headgear. He will need to win this in order to maintain any pretentions of turning into a cup horse. Mr Crystal may find this trip on the sharp side these days. Nevertheless, Micky Hammond has his horses in good order and he was among the winners earlier in the week. Nemo Spirit has a big weight to shoulder though made light work of his opposition at York in a similar contest last month. Kasban won at Folkestone with a fair degree of authority but there is far less deadwood around in this contest. Eighteenfifty will be one of the last runners from Nicky Henderson's yard before his suspension kicks in. Sweetheart is a likeable mare under both codes though she needs to improve again to win this. Inchnadamph has his easiest assignment for some time and he can land it accordingly.
Inchnadamph 16-1 (9-10) Held up behind leaders, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 11l behind Nemo Spirit (9-8) at York 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jun.
Mr Crystal (FR) 2-1fav (8-11) Held up behind leaders, ridden along and headway inner over 1f out, led 1f out, kept on final furlong until headed post, 2nd of 8, nk behind Markington (8-3) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Whenever 10-1 (9-3) Always behind, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, 15l behind Callisto Moon (8-4) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Kasban 20-1 (8-10) Close up in 5th, pushed along over 5f out, headway between horses over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead final 100 yards, won at Folkestone 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun beating Swordsman (8-10) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Sweetheart 11-4fav (9-4) Chased leader, upsides and challenging from 3f out, still every chance 1f out, found no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Kasban (8-10) at Folkestone 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Eighteenfifty 10-11fav (9-2) Held up 4th, ridden to chase leader 2f out, effort over 1f out, not quicken, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Salute (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Alanbrooke 10-3 (8-13) Soon chased leader, led 12f out, driven clear final 2f, unchallenged after, won at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Strathcal (8-10) by 6l, 8 ran.
Bernie The Bolt (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, headway 6f out, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, chased winner, no chance over 1f out, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Harlestone Snake (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 6f (5) gd in Jun.
Nemo Spirit (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Driven 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at York 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jun beating Hawk Mountain (8-10) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
