held up, headway approaching 3 out, led before last, soon headed, led again briefly until hurdle, stayed on same pace flat
held up, jumped slowly 4th, not going well after and pulled up before 5th
prominent, led 2nd until 5th, led 2 out, headed before last, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 2 out, led last, ran on well
led, hit 2nd and headed, ridden before 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, led before last, soon headed, not fluent at hurdle, no extra flat
prominent, led when not fluent 5th, stumbled on bend soon after, headed 2 out, weakened well before last
tracked leaders, every chance when mistake last, not recover and no extra flat
mid-division, not fluent, lost place 3rd, well beaten before last
Purple Bay is a very competent hurdler and the booking of AP McCoy indicates the Ferguson team mean business but COOL MACAVITY is preferred. He's compiled a fine record over timber since joining Nicky Henderson from Charles Hills and has become a tough nut to crack when quick ground obtains. He was most impressive in scoring on a Punchestown raid last time when landing a valuable handicap pot and rates the one to beat with the proviso that the rains stay away, Life And Soul bombed out last time in the Swinton Hurdle but is far better than that although a drop of 2lb in the ratings is little compensation for a 79 length beating that day. He could well bounce back here. Roman Flight doesn't win too often but he's just the sort to give a good each-way account in these competitive handicaps.
Purple Bay (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) Tracked leadesr, lost place 5th, blundered next, outpaced 3 out, headway into 2nd next, ridden and kept on under pressure towards stands side rail flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Hint Of Mint (11-9) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Cool Macavity (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Mid-division, 8th 3 out, pushed along after next, moderate 11th entering straight, ridden and headway into 2nd at last, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong, won at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gd in Apr beating City Slicker (11-8) by 2l, 18 ran.
Life And Soul (IRE) 18-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistake 1st, not fluent next, headway before 4th, lost place after 6th, soon well behind, last of 13, well behind Ballyglasheen (10-10) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft.
Roman Flight (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 3 out, never able to challenge, blundered and beaten last, 7th of 9, 7l behind Rumble Of Thunder (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Detroit Red 7-1 (10-2) Prominent, led before 2 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf beating Party Palace (9-13) by 9l, 11 ran.
Springinherstep (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd on inside 2 out, soon pressing winner, driven and every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 11, hd behind Castlemorris King (11-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Calaf 25-1 (11-1) Pressed leader, led 3 out, driven last, stayed on flat, won at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr beating Bob's Legend (10-11) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 5-1fav (11-1) Chased leaders, challenged 2 out, led going to the last, hit last, driven and kept on under pressure run-in, won at Kempton 2m Am hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Tenby Jewel (10-10) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Fond Memory (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders on outside, ridden 3 out, close 3rd last, edged right and one pace flat, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind August Hill (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Maoi Chinn Tire (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Detached, jumped left 2nd, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Cap Elorn (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct, 6 ran.
