led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
prominent, slightly hampered 4f out, hung right and carried head high over 3f out, soon weakened
held up and keen, ridden and headway over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, not quickened towards finish
chased leader, edged right 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, ran on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, held up, ridden and headway 2f out, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, stayed on, never reached leaders
stumbled start, prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Captain Darling, Gem Bien and Sedge are three against the field in this competitive finale and the vote is given to Captain Darling. The selection won well last time out when beating Taranaki and although having a penalty for that win he should improve for this longer trip and from a good draw he looks the one to be on. Gem Bien rates the main danger as he also won well last time out when beating Naval Attache but consistency is not his strong point and at likely odds he looks, worth taking on. Sedge is another that could go well on his latest second behind Pianoforte but he is hard to win with. 1 Band, is another with place claims on his latest second behind Sol Rojo he hails from a yard in top form and should be watched in the market. Of the remainder Spark Up is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but for the winner we are happy to return to Captain Darling.
Captain Darling (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Led after 1f, clear when ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Taranaki (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Gem Bien (USA) 6-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, driven to lead 2f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f sll hcp (6) pol beating Naval Attache (9-1) by 2l, 13 ran.
Scamperdale 8-1 (9-8) Prominent, ridden and ran wide on bend 5f out, soon lost place, 11th of 13, well behind Padre Nostro (8-11) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (6) gf.
Orpen Quest (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway and hung left from over 3f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Gala Sunday (9-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) frm.
Band 9-2fav (10-7) In touch, ridden to lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 12, shd behind Sol Rojo (11-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Spark Up 9-1 (8-7) Behind, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Captain Darling (8-10) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Danielle's Lad 7-2fav (9-9) Chased leaders, led over 3f out, ridden approaching 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Full Spate (9-13) at Chepstow 7f clm (6) gf in Jun.
Sedge (USA) 7-1 (8-9) Raced keen, soon tracking leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Pianoforte (9-0) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
