held up last, switched left inside final 2f, headway on wide outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, not reached winner
bustled along to track leader, pushed along 4f out, driven and still challenging for lead when hung right over 1f out, one pace when carried left and switched right towards finish
pulled hard early in 3rd, settled 5th over 9f out, lost place over 6f out, tailed off straight
tracked leading pair over 9f out, headway to challenge 2f out, ridden and still pressing leaders over 1f out, one pace towards finish
held up in 6th, struggling and last straight, soon tailed off, virtually pulled up final 3f
held up in 7th, headway over 5f out, pushed along 3f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish
held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, no extra final 2f
led, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, driven and kept narrow advantage until headed and weakened 1f out
chased leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, driven along 2f out, stayed on to lead 1f out, edged left and in command final furlong
KAYF ARAMIS had a very successful and top class Hurdles campaign over the winter and proved to be very useful on the flat with a good win at York last time and Venetia William's charge is taken to take this stayers handicap ahead of Isabelonabicycle while Calculating could be a value each-way bet. Having capped an excellent national hunt season with victory in the Pertemps Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival the pick put a few slightly under par performances behind him when returning to this sphere and scoring by 13 lengths at York last week. Six pounds has been added to his back this time, which shouldn't be a problem, and while the ground may be on the quick side for the gelding he still has solid claims. Isabelonabicycle has so far proved a consistent sort who is open to improvement but her last performance off this mark was a little disappointing. Calculating has been running well on the all-weather circuits this winter and usually puts in a good performance. His form on turf is nowhere near the standard of his all-weather runs but he could go well off a rating five pounds below his last winning mark. Look To This Day should be in the mix but still looks a little high in the handicap to score while Cleaver is weighted to be involved however for the winner we like Kayf Aramis.
Cleaver 14-1 (9-9) Restrained start, behind, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, kept on without being able to mount challenge, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Mighty Moon (9-7) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.
Kayf Aramis 2-1fav (9-6) Chased leader, led over 4f out, well clear over 3f out, eased towards finish, won at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Rose Bien (8-3) by 13l, 13 ran.
American Spin 4-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 4th of 12, 1 3/4l behind War of The Roses (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (4) pol in Feb.
Takafu (USA) 100-1 (8-2) Mid-division, effort 3f out and soon pressing leaders, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 33, 19l behind Leg Spinner (8-11) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gs in Oct '07.
Look To This Day 12-1 (8-12) Set steady pace, headed inside final 3f, stayed well there until no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Shimoni (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 12, 24l behind Mighty Moon (9-7) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.
Epsom Salts 12-1 (9-4) Held up in left place, ridden 3f out, never troubled leaders, 8th of 12, 12l behind Isabelonabicycle (8-13) at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Isabelonabicycle 2-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression and edged left inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Wild Rhubarb (9-11) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Sweetheart 5-2fav (8-12) Towards rear, headway over 6f out, effort when weakening over 2f out, 7th of 12, 34l behind Bugsy's Boy (8-10) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (5) gs in Mar '08.
Bold Adventure 6-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, kept on from over 1f out, nearest finish, 6th of 13, 20l behind Kings Maiden (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Calculating (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, 2 over 3f out, one pace and weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Kings Maiden (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
