No surprise to see several dual purpose horses taking part in this marathon. Argocat is the highest rated over fences and has only his second start for Nicky Henderson after finishing last over hurdles in February. But GRUMETI has been hurdling since returning the 50/1 winner of last year's Cesarewitch over today's trip at Newmarket and has previous form in testing ground. Alan King's charge is preferred to Cousin Khee, 10lb higher than when last winning on the Flat, and Wind Place And Sho. Though the latter ended last year with a second over 2m in soft ground at headquarters and could figure. Stonecutter was ahead of Communicator when scoring over 2m at Wolverhampton last month and Injun Sands went close over the same trip at Kempton recently.
Cousin Khee 14-1 (11-0) Behind, outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, never reached leaders, 5th of 11, 17 3/4l behind Here's Herbie (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Grumeti 11-2 (11-3) Tracked leader, hard ridden 3 out, soon lost place, 7th of 8, dist behind Lil Rockerfeller (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 3f (1) gs in Feb.
Saigon City 7-2fav (9-8) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Altharoos (9-6) at Thirsk 1m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Stonecutter (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, led over 1f out, held on well, won at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (4) pol in Mar beating Excellent Puck (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Arty Campbell (IRE) 5-4fav (10-8) In touch, tracked leaders 4th, led after 3 out, headed next, rallied and every chance approaching last and all the way to the finish, just failed, 2nd of 8, hd behind Thunder Sheik (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Communicator 7-2 (9-8) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 2 1/4l behind Stonecutter (9-6) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Wind Place And Sho 10-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, pressed winner and every chance from over 1f, wandered under pressure inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Star Rider (8-11) at Newmarket 2m hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Injun Sands 7-1 (9-8) Dwelt close up, lost places 4f out, headway over 1f out, ridden to challenge winner entering final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Seaside Sizzler (9-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Argocat (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place 3 out, last of 8, 29l behind Count Guido Deiro (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
