chased winner, mistakes 7th and 10th, ridden when lost 2nd 3 out, soon beaten
held up behind leaders, jumped left 9th, disputed 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, no extra approaching last
made all, shaken up to draw clear 2 out, went badly left last, eased near finish
jumped left and got progressively worse, chased leading pair until 7th, pecked next, soon behind
held up behind leaders, disputed 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, kept on for clear 2nd approaching last, always held by winner
Another fascinating race and none in this small field can be overlooked; preference is for DEEP PURPLE ahead of Buck The Legend. Evan Williams has had some fantastic days out with the seven-year-old, including when winning a Grade Two race at the track last season over hurdles. He has had two chasing starts, and on the latter he jumped like a buck to win well. This is a much tougher test but if he gets an easy lead and jumps as well then the sky's the limit. Buck The Legend has proven himself to be one of the top Novice chasers this season and is highly progressive; again this is the acid test and his penalty makes life tougher, but he's the stamp of a chaser and he couldn't have jumped any better than he did last time. Panjo Bere also has two wins to his name and the stable are in good form. His odds-on success last time may have been visually impressive but the feeling is that the form is just fair and whilst he is open to plenty of improvement, he probably needs to. Naiad Du Misselot won the Coral Cup at the festival but has bumped into two good horses over fences. His recent defeat at Kelso behind Palomar may have been down to too short a trip; he can improve on that run today. Turkish Surprise completes the line-up and is an unknown. He has his first start in this country since leaving France and the market may help guide to his chance, but in a fascinating contest, it is Deep Purple who can take it.
Buck The Legend (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Chased clear leader, closed after 8th, hit 10th, led approaching 11th, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, eased run-in, won at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Kilcrea Asla (11-7) by 13l, 9 ran.
Panjo Bere (FR) 4-5fav (11-7) Mostly tracked leading trio, challenged going well 10th, went 2nd 4 out, up sides and going well when left well clear 2 out, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Nov beating Wheres Johnny (11-1) by 17l, 5 ran.
Deep Purple 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 6th, in command from 3 out, hit 2 out, eased run-in, won at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) gs in Nov beating Laredo Sound (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Naiad du Misselot (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Held up, blundered 7th, headway 8th, soon chasing leaders, stayed on from last, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Palomar (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Turkish Surprise (FR) (10-5) fell in race won by Colline De Clermon (10-1) at Compiegne 2m 1f chs sft in May '07, 10 ran.
