made all, ridden approaching last, driven out flat
tracked winner, ridden after 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon one pace
in touch, hit 11th, no impression after
always towards rear, lost touch 5 out, beaten when hit 3 out
held up, ridden 4 out, no impression
The ground may not be quite quick enough for Deep Purple, and seeing as he is prone to throwing in the odd blunder, it may be more prudent to side with Arkle eighth I'MSINGINGTHEBLUES. Paul Nicholls' gelding was certainly not disgraced in the Arkle behind Forpadydeplasterer when he was a 9/1 chance. He has shown that a flat left-handed track suits and with no ground worries he looks the best bet of the day, especially as he bypassed Aintree for this. Tot O'Whiskey failed to complete at the Aintree meeting over an extended three miles, and it is disconcerting to see the blinkers applied, so of more interest may be Turkish Surprise who is not exposed and impressed with his manner of victory at Southwell last time. He still has over a stone to find on the adjusted ratings and with cheek-pieces applied for the first time he is also passed over. Raysrock has an engagement at the track on Friday in an easier race and if turning up here it would surely only be for fifth place prize money (¿1200), and so it is I'msingingtheblues who is confidently selected.
Deep Purple 16-1 (11-4) Led, blundered 9th, headed and hit 12th, chased leaders, kept on approaching last, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Tartak (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) In touch, not fluent 4th, handy next, one pace and beaten before last, 8th of 17, 12l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Tot O'Whiskey 28-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Don't Push It (10-11) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gs, 15 ran.
Turkish Surprise (FR) 8-13fav (10-12) Chased leader, left in lead 8th, blundered 3 out, in command when hit last, ridden out, won at Southwell 2m 5f nov stks (3) gd beating Prince Vector (10-12) by 11l, 4 ran.
Raysrock (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Close up, challenged and every chance 3 out, 3rd ridden and not much room when blundered 2 out, one pace last, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Gershwin (10-6) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
