held up in rear, smooth headway between horses to lead 2 out, ridden last, ran on well run-in
led, pressed 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened last
close up, weakened quickly before 3 out, eased run-in
tracked leader, slow 4 out, led before 2 out, headed after 2nd last, kept on strongly
in rear, ridden before 3 out, plugged on after last
Cubswin held off Beyond The Clouds to score at Newton Abbot last month but there is little between the pair at the revised terms. Return Ticket was chasing last term for Ruth Jefferson but Rebecca Menzies puts him back over hurdles on his return to action. He has won twice over the smaller obstacles and is no forlorn hope if fit and Flashing Glance pops up now and again, though hasn’t raced since January. PURPLE KING steps up in grade off a 3lb higher mark after narrowly returning to winning ways at Southwell but it would still be no surprise to see Richard Newland’s charge follow up.
Beyond The Clouds 11-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway after 2 out, went 2nd last, kept on, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Cubswin (11-9) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Cubswin (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Made all, ridden approaching last, kept on gamely, won at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Beyond The Clouds (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Return Ticket (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Prominent, led after 3rd, headed before 5 out, challenged 3 out, every chance and blundered 2 out, not fluent last, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind On The Slopes (11-12) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Flashing Glance 8-1 (11-5) Towards rear, pushed along from 4 out, soon tailed off, pulled up, at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Purple King (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Disputed the lead throughout, ridden to hold his position and responded approaching 2 out, good leap when in contention last, driven out, won at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Perfect City (11-9) by nk, 14 ran.
