in touch, chased winner 3f out, no impression
slowly into stride, held up, never troubled leaders
with leader, led over 7f out, headed 4f out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, led 4f out, clear over 2f out
held up, headway over 4f out, went 4th over 3f out, no impression
in rear, ridden over 6f out, some headway over 4f out, never dangerous
led, headed over 7f out, soon weakened, tailed off over 3f out
held up, some headway over 4f out, never trouble leaders
chased leaders, mid-division halfway, went a poor 3rd over 3f out, no impression
always towards rear
Puy d'Arnac has run better on turf in his last two starts after a couple of starts on the Fibresand and Alan Swinbank's gelding has to be respected but he is far from certain to stay this far and a safer option looks to be MR CRYSTAL, who gets the vote ahead of Tyrrells Wood. The Terry Mills-trained gelding has not been seen on the level since being narrowly beaten by Bell Island on the Polytrack at Lingfield but has been running well over hurdles of late and he has to be respected on his return to the flat. James Fanshawe's team is in much better form now than last season but his runner, Dart, does need to step up on the form shown on his recent run at Haydock. Mick Channon's Kiribati King has been well held in both starts this term and looks best watched and of more interest may be Haldibari. The five-year-old was not beaten far at Pontefract last time by Mr Crystal and there should not be much between the two runners on the revised terms but Micky Hammond's gelding still looks to be ahead of the handicapper and he is taken to win again.
Mr Crystal (FR) 3-1fav (9-8) Held up, headway after 1 mile, ridden along 3f out, driven to lead well over 1f out, edged left and kept on final furlong, won at Pontefract 2m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fm in Apr beating Haldibari (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Indonesia 3-1fav (9-9) Held up, headway 4f out, driven and weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 7l behind Zuwaar (9-0) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Eton Fable (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Led, pushed along over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 6l behind Hendersyde (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Tyrrells Wood (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, nk behind Bell Island (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 3-1fav (9-0) Prominent, ridden along over 4f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 4th of 12, 7l behind Clear Reef (9-2) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in May.
Kiribati King (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Held up, pushed along over 5f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 13, 31l behind Kayf Aramis (9-6) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Keelung (USA) 11-1 (9-4) Chased leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 25l behind Chookie Hamilton (7-9) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Dart 11-1 (8-10) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 20l behind Clear Reef (9-2) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in May.
Haldibari (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Led after 2f, reminders over 4f out, headed well over 1f out, driven and kept on final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Mr Crystal (9-8) at Pontefract 2m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fm in Apr.
Snowberry Hill (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Prominent, effort when not much room over 2f, switched left over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 10, 9l behind Herrera (9-9) at Beverley 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
