made all, went left last, hard held
held up in touch, ridden and weakened after 5th
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out
held up, good headway after 5th, went 2nd briefly approaching 3 out, weakened quickly
towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, went 4th flat, never troubled leaders
tracked winner, throughout, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on, always held
Deep Purple gets the confident vote to defy his double penalty in the finale with Dovedale and Konigsbote the others to consider. The selection won in facile fashion last time out when defeating Pigeon Island and with conditions again in his favour he is hard to oppose. Dovedale rates the main danger on his latest second behind Prince De Bersy but he has had plenty of chances and consistency is not his strong point. Konigsbote is held in high regard but has shown little so can not be put forward with much confidence, even so he is respected. The remainder have shown very little and are readily opposed and Deep Purple is taken as our choice to maintain his unbeaten record.
Deep Purple 1-2fav (11-10) Made all, eased run-in, won at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Jun beating Pigeon Island (11-2) by 16l, 5 ran.
Kiwi Royalty 14-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden 5f out, weakened 3f out, 9th of 12, 14l behind Hold Em (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Sept.
Konigsbote (GER) 10-1 (10-12) Prominent, disputing 3rd when blundered and lost place 3 out, soon no chance, last of 8, well behind Dariak (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Marker 40-1 (11-1) Towards rear, ridden 4th, soon weakened, 5th of 12, well behind Esprit de Corps (11-1) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jun.
Regal Quote (IRE) Classic Cliche gelding out of a mare who ran only once.
Sea Saffron Sea Raven gelding out of Saffron Lake.
Dovedale 7-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden 6th, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Prince De Bersy (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd mdn hdl (5) gf in Sept.
