led, mistake and headed 4 out, stayed challenging, joined leader and mistake 2 out, led before last, driven and stayed on gamely flat
chased leaders, went 3rd and hit 5th, fell next
chased winner, led narrowly 4th, joined 2 out, soon driven, headed before last, not quicken flat
behind, mistake 2nd, left poor 4th and slightly hampered 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, in touch, ridden and fell 3 out
in touch, chased leaders 4th, left close 3rd 3 out, weakening when mistake next
soon well behind, tailed off
chased leaders, weakened before 5th, no chance when fell 3 out
Deep Purple, French Opera and Alsadaa have all been running well of late, but preference is for Deep Purple. The selection is chasing the four-timer here and the manner of his most recent success suggests that he will be up to the challenge. He was really good value for his winning margin when he beat Dovedale at Exeter last time and he should prove tough to beat. French Opera hails from a top yard and he lost no caste in defeat when chasing home Elusive Dream last time out. He can go well, along with Alsadaa who looks a progressive type on the evidence of his win over Hansomelle last time out. He loves fast ground and he should be capable of making the frame. Zamboozle is closely-matched with Alsadaa on a form line through Hansomelle so Alan King's runner is another to factor in. There are some progressive type in opposition here but Deep Purple makes most appeal and is taken to score.
Deep Purple 4-9fav (11-12) Made all, jumped left last, hard held, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf beating Dovedale (10-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Alsadaa (USA) 11-10fav (11-2) Made all, in command 2 out, pushed clear, won at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Hansomelle (10-5) by 8l, 11 ran.
French Opera 11-2 (11-4) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Elusive Dream (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Zamboozle (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, slightly hampered 3 out, led and hit last, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf beating Zero (11-5) by 5l, 12 ran.
Zero (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed last, weakened, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Zamboozle (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Another Bottle (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Held up, headway and mistake 4 out, not recover, 9th of 12, 44l behind Loita Hills (11-2) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Irish Toast (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, never a danger, 7th of 11, well behind Minaad (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Hansomelle (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden when hampered 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Zamboozle (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Classic Gold (GER) 16-1 (11-0) In touch, jumped well to go 2nd at 5th, joined leader soon after 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon clear, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May beating Dariak (11-6) by 4l, 8 ran.
