Brando plays starring role in Gold Cup
The 11-1 shot’s draw in stall eight proved to be a massive advantage as the field tacked over to the far-side and he always travelled sweetly for Tom Eaves as Nameitwhatyoulike (8-1) tried to make all.
Eaves kicked for home a furlong out and Brando made light of his big weight when comfortably foiling the huge gamble on 4-1 jolly Growl by a length-and-a-quarter.
Hoof It (16-1) stayed on well for third with G Force (10-1) fourth.
Ryan said: “This is one of the hardest races to win as it’s so condensed now you need a 100-rated horse to get in.
“One thing about this horse is that he was bringing proper good form into the race. That’s what it takes to win this race, you don’t win it with a handicapper any more.”
Eaves added: “I was happy where we were drawn and I wanted to be patient and get him switched off. It was all pretty smooth and he was class all the way.”
William Hill quickly cut Brando to 12-1 from 33s to successfully step up to Group 1 level in next month’s Qipco Champions Sprint at Ascot.
Stall eight also proved lucky for Tom Dascombe’s Roudee (20-1) in the consolation Silver Cup.
The four-year-old hit the front inside the final furlong under Richard Kingscote and always had enough in hand to deny Get Knotted ( 17- 2) and Nuno Tristan (12-1) by half-a-length.
Delectation (11-1) kept up trainer Bryan Smart’s purple patch in the Firth Of Clyde.
The juvenile showed a potent turn of foot when powering three lengths clear of Rosebride (12-1) under Paul Mulrennen with Bel le Meade (20-1) third.