led and set good pace, headed 4th (water), pressed leader who steadied tempo, in lead briefly 8th, chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, plugged on
off the pace in 5th, mistake 2nd, pushed along and struggling in rear before 8th, moderate rally into 5th 2 out, never involved
held up, headway 6th, outpaced and struggling in 3rd 3 out, no chance with leading duo
raced keenly, pressed leader, led 4th (water) and steadied tempo, headed 9th, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, weakened 3 out
held up well off the pace in rear, steady headway approaching 8th, 2nd 4 out, held when mistake 2 out, one pace after, no chance with winner
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
chased leaders on inside, pushed along before 7th, led 9th, clear after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on strongly
Purple 'n Gold is the type to pop up when least expected but may need to drop a few more pounds. Tikkinthebox has won his last two but will have to defy another 10lb rise to complete the hat-trick and there should be more to come over fences from DREAMCATCHER (NAP). An absence since pulled up on soft going at Wincanton in November is not a concern. Free Stone Hill has had his chances but will probably be contesting the places again and Lillington is cast in a similar mould. Salto Chisco is a danger to all, however, as he has already won three times over fences and is a versatile sort who has won over hurdles around here.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway after 6th, weakened after next, 10th of 13, dist behind Salix (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
Dreamcatching (FR) 10-3jfav (10-13) Tracked leaders, in 5th and well held when blundered 2 out, soon pulled up, at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Salto Chisco (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, outpaced before 2 out, 4th and well held when awkward last, 4th of 9, 13 3/4l behind Magic Dancer (11-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Tikkinthebox (IRE) 11-4 (12-0) Made all, mistake 5th (water), clear from 3 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m hcp (4) gd in May beating Two Hoots (10-8) by 11l, 8 ran.
Free Stone Hill (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway 3 out, close 2nd last, ridden and no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Hargam (11-10) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Canicallyouback 14-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, not fluent 9th, weakening when mistake 4 out, pulled up before next, at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Lillington (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Soon towards rear, ridden in last pair after 6th, headway and rallying when left 3rd 4 out, disputing 2nd when mistake last, went modest 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Royal Act (10-9) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
