prominent, ridden after 3 out, one pace next, no extra when blundered last
led, ridden after 3 out, headed soon after next, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, not fluent 4th or 5th, headway on inside 6th, bad mistake and lost momentum 3 out, closed on inside when mistake 2 out, soon not much room, 3rd when mistake last, no extra flat
prominent, mistake 6th, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on well
held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd last, no impression on winner
held up, effort 3 out, lost place 2 out, well held when hampered last
Knight In Purple isn't easy to catch right nowadays but certainly has the ability to figure in this if in the mood. Agent Archie lost his way in the spring, however, and has a bit to prove on his comeback while Adelar also lacks a recent run. Al Co needs further and will probably be back over fences sooner rather than later so this looks a good opportunity for DUMBARTON to make a successful return to hurdling having been in good form on the Flat lately. He showed decent form for Gordon Elliott over timber in the autumn. Scoglio finished behind Knight In Purple at Uttoxeter in June and may struggle to reverse that form here.
Knight In Purple 7-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair, ridden after 4th, outpaced when hit 3 out, soon well beaten, 4th of 6, 47l behind Life And Soul (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f Ladies Handicap Hurdle (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gf in Jul.
Agent Archie (USA) 12-1 (11-4) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 31l behind Fair Trade (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Dumbarton (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 6 out and 5 out, closer order from next, led on inner 2 out, stayed on well from before last, won at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Oct beating Enchanted Forest (11-7) by 2l, 20 ran.
Adelar (GER) 28-1 (11-6) Behind hit 4 out, moderate late progress, never involved, 12th of 21, 36l behind Buck Magic (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Scoglio 8-1 (11-0) Held up, headway before 6th, lost place 2 out, one pace, 6th of 12, 6l behind Tom Wade (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Ice Ice Baby 16-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, pushed along from 5 out, moderate 3rd and no impression 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 23l behind Zane Grey (11-6) at Wexford 2m hcp hdl 80-95 gf in Jul.
Al Co (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, jumped right 1st, headway 6th, went 2nd 2 out, every chance last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 22, 7l behind Trackmate (11-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
