chased front pair, outpaced before 3 out, plugged on to press for 2nd from last, no chance with winner
made all, drew clear between last 2, kept on well
soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
chased clear leaders to 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off next, soon pulled up
tracked winner throughout, pushed along 2 out, soon ridden, no chance between last 2
in rear, went modest 4th at 10th, never near leaders, tailed off
behind when mistake and unseated rider 2nd
Gurkha Brave is bidding for a hat-trick but could find it hard to defy a 7lb rise over this longer trip. KELTUS (NAP) was a disappointing favourite at Southwell last time but the better going and stiffer track should help and he’s already proven he can win at this level. Mister Spingsprong chased Keltus home last time and can do the same again.
Gurkha Brave (IRE) 11-10fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, led narrowly 4 out, headed when not fluent next, regained lead 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in May beating Prince Khurram (10-3) by 9l, 5 ran.
Keltus (FR) 6-5fav (11-8) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Crosspark (10-11) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in May.
Brown Trix (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Always behind, lost touch after 6th, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Altruism (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gd in May.
Go Odee Go (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Towards rear, went right 2nd, reminders after next, tailed off and pulled up before last, at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in May.
Mister Spingsprong (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Chased winner throughout, driven 3 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, no chance with winner before last, kept closing stages, always held, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Keltus (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gs in Apr.
Quick Brew 9-2 (11-8) Towards rear, headway 7th, ridden to chase front pair after 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression when not fluent last, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 8, 14 1/2l behind Some Lad (10-5) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Rock Of Leon 11-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, close 4th when unseated rider 13th, at Southwell 3m (4) gd in May.