in touch, tracked front pair 2 out, went 2nd and 2 lengths down last, ridden and stayed on well flat, pressed winner towards finish, just held
with leader led before 3rd, made rest, driven 2 lengths clear last, ridden flat, hard pressed towards finish, just held on
in touch on outside, lost place 3rd, behind and struggling 5th, continued tailed off
behind, struggling 2 out, driven and stayed on to take modest 4th flat, no chance with leaders
in touch, driven and outpaced after 2 out, no chance with leaders between last 2, lost modest 4th flat
chased leaders to before 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden after next, weakened before last
held up behind, outpaced after 2 out, never near leaders, weakened before last
in touch, chased winner 2 out, one pace in 3rd when not fluent last, no impression with front pair flat
held up, always behind, lost touch 2 out
led to before 3rd, pressed winner, lost place 2 out, weakened before last
Purple King almost certainly came up against a useful recruit to hurdling when only beaten a head at Southwell last week and is getting closer. But there is potentially another nice newcomer in this as SURREY BLAZE won five of his 17 starts on the Flat for Joseph Tuite and has now joined a top NH yard. Bathiva has travelled over from Ireland on the back of a couple of fair runs in bumpers and looks the pick of the remainder.
Bathiva (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Raced in 5th, went 4th over 2f out, pushed along over 1f out and soon no impression, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 10 1/2l behind Batcio (12-0) at Down Royal 2m gd in Nov.
Purple King (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Chased leaders, led after 4 out, ridden before last, headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 13, hd behind Pacify (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) gd in Jun.
The Late Legend 33-1 (10-12) Went right 1st, pressed winner to after 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Boomarang (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in May.
Vincs Vinnie (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Held up last to 11; stdy hdwy 4 out; wknd aft 2 out, 6th of 9, 24 1/2l behind Airpur Desbois (12-0) at Bratton Down 3m gf in Jun.
Avlos 50-1 (10-9) Led until jinked and unseated rider 1st, at Stratford 2m (4) gs in Jun.
Connective (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, not fluent and pushed along 5th, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 9, 26 1/2l behind Feel The Pinch (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Jun.
Is It Off (IRE) 50-1 (9-6) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Street Poet (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Surrey Blaze (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd inside final 2f, ridden lost 2nd and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Dono di Dio (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Kims Diamond (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Refused to race, at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Sep.
Princess Kodia (IRE) (0-0) 4th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Flutterbee (0-0) at Les Landes 1m 1f in Aug.
