in rear, reminders from 6th, struggling when blundered 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader to 12th, remained close up, ridden and outpaced when not fluent 2 out, rallied to lead final 75 yards, just held on
held up in touch, dropped rear and reminders after 9th, mistake next, no danger after, tailed off
led, ridden and hard pressed from 4 out, stayed on to go 2 lengths clear last, tired and headed final 75 yards
tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th, challenged 4 out, ridden and outpaced 2 out, rallied and every chance final 75 yards, just failed
The exciting DEEP PURPLE is taken to land the feature event on the card, with previous winner Ollie Magern and the well treated Tamarinbleu the others to consider in a disappointingly small field. Ollie Magern won this event two years ago and was a good second last year, but his efforts since have been disappointing. He looks a threat nonetheless and should not be dismissed lightly. Tamarinbleu has been keeping good company but has not looked like winning a race for some time, well beaten in his last three starts, and although the handicapper's assessment suggests he is good enough to win, his rating looks rather high. Deep Purple won four of his eight starts as a novice, and was runner-up twice. He has a good turn of foot and a high cruising speed. Although one of his defeats came on his seasonal reappearance here last term, Deep Purple is taken to make amends and take this nice prize.
Snoopy Loopy (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Backstage (10-1) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Aug, 17 ran.
Deep Purple 15-8 (11-7) Made all, ridden approaching last, driven out flat, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr beating I'msingingtheblues (11-7) by 9l, 5 ran.
Church Island (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Led, not fluent 6 out, headed next, 5th and ridden 3 out, 7th before 2 out, stayed on from last, 5th of 16, 10l behind Treacle (9-13) at Limerick 3m hcp chs.
Ollie Magern 5-2 (10-12) Led to before 3 out, soon ridden, outpaced and no impression when mistake last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 22l behind Possol (11-2) at Perth 3m chs (2) gd in Apr.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leader, hit 3rd and 4th, reminder 5th, ridden 6th, weakened next, last of 7, well behind Hills Of Aran (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
