prominent, ridden before 2 out, one pace in 4th
tracked leader, led before 8th, not fluent next, headed 3 out, kept on same pace, went 2nd place run-in, no chance with winner
always towards rear
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 8th, pushed along before 5 out and outpaced
towards rear, headway to chase leaders, 8th, chase winner from 2 out until no extra and lost 2nd place run-in
tracked leaders, headway 5 out, led 3 out, easily
led, headed before 8th, lost place from 4 out, blundered 3 out, soon pulled up
in rear, outpaced from 4 out
Purcell's Bridge has to overcome a lengthy absence but has won twice over fences, including once over course and distance, and this is a race which lacks strength-in-depth. Dream Flyer won over 3m at Musselburgh before pulling up at Wetherby but finds this trip on then sharp side. The Cobbler Swayne should have benefited from his run at Wetherby last month while Newberry New may be running into form but KAP JAZZ (NAP), unexposed over fences and well treated on his hurdles form, ran well enough before slithering to a standstill in the mud at Lingfield in November to suggest he’s capable of better. He’s been given plenty of time to recover and his stable is in better form now.
The Cobbler Swayne (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) In rear, effort before 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, dist behind Captain Redbeard (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Calivigny (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Always behind, tailed off from 5 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Master Ruffit (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Purcell's Bridge (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Held up in last pair, closer on inside 6th, 3rd after 4 out, left held 2nd 2 out, driven before last, kept on under pressure run-in, strong challenge close home, just held, 2nd of 6, hd behind Cobajayisland (11-1) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Newberry New (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Handy on outside, outpaced after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, went modest 3rd next, 3rd of 6, 13 1/2l behind Aminabad (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan.
Take The Cash (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Close up, went 2nd 4th, joined leader 11th until ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 28l behind John Louis (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Kap Jazz (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Raced wide, tracked leaders, left in 2nd place 13th, dropped to 3rd next, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, held when slithered on landing and fell 3 out, at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Dream Flyer (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, soon tracked leaders, pushed along before 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Verko (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway under pressure 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, never able to challenge, 5th of 9, 35l behind Dr Robin (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
