Purple Considered For Tolworth

Deep Purple could make the leap into Grade One company in Saturdays Anglo Irish Bank Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.

Evan Williams' gelding is unbeaten in five starts over obstacles, progressing from novice hurdles at Stratford and Newton Abbot to a Grade Two victory at Ascot last time.

Deep Purple is now set to move up another level at the weekend, with Williams hoping he can answer the questions positively once again.

'It's a good race and he could well run as we really don't know where else to go with him,' said Williams.

'I've put him in a handicap at Sandown too but that's only really to see what mark the handicapper comes back with.

'He's in very good form and just keeps improving. We ran him last time to see where we were and he answered us by winning.

'He's a Listed and Grade Two winner so now we need to see if he can do it at the highest level too.

'I think we will go there but I would be hoping for a dry week as he is a horse that will go better on very good ground.

'He looks exceptional at the moment and has improved again for the run as he really is a bit of a ?laid-back Jack'.'

Deep Purple is one of 16 entries for the two-mile contest with recent Ascot runner-up Alsadaa one of his main rivals.

Other eyecatching contenders include Gerry Feilden Hurdle winner Mon Michel, Henrietta Knight's Calgary Bay and the well-touted Breedsbreeze.

Howard Johnson's pair of Moonhawk and Scriptwriter are also intriguing possibles.

(C) PA Sport