led, headed approaching 2out, soon no extra
tracked leader, led on bit approaching 2out, not fluent last, easily
in touch, pushed along 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, went 2nd 2out, no chance with winner
in touch, dropped rear 4out, outpaced next
held up in rear, headway and in touch 4out, outpaced after next
Sign Of A Victory swerved the Ladbroke at Ascot at Saturday on account of the going but he faces a much tougher task here against proven Grade 1 performers. Faugheen stays further than this but did have the speed to win the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in April when Sgt Reckless was only third. PURPLE BAY may well have beaten subsequent Fighting Fifth winner Irving in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton last month had the latter not fallen at the last and he's only a pound worse off. John Ferguson's five-year-old appears to have improved markedly over the summer and could be the value here. Blue Heron won a Listed race over course and distance in October and wasn't disgraced when fourth at Cheltenham next time but needs more in this company.
Blue Heron (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, went 4th towards finish, never able to get on terms with leaders, 4th of 15, 7l behind Garde La Victoire (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Faugheen (IRE) 1-4fav (11-4) Made all, travelling strongly when joined between last two, quickened right away flat, impressive, won at Ascot 2m 3f hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov beating Blue Fashion (11-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Irving 6-4fav (11-7) Held up in 4th, tracked leading pair 4 out, went 2nd before next, challenged between last 2, led narrowly last, ridden out flat, won at Newcastle 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Nov beating Aurore D'estruval (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Purple Bay (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, outpaced after 3 out, rallied from next, slightly hampered last, led flat, soon clear, won at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov beating Bertimont (10-12) by 4l, 9 ran.
Sgt Reckless 8-11fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, challenged going well 2 out, led before last, shaken up flat, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) gs in Oct beating Gentleman Jon (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sign Of A Victory (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway approaching 3 out, 2nd travelling easily 2 out, led on bit last, not extended, cleverly, won at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Nov beating Dawalan (10-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
