160 rated hurdler running on Flat for 1st time in 5 years.

Persian War ran on the flat as a 6yo, for the first time since his 3yo season. He ran in the Newbury Autumn Cup in Sep 1969, having won the previous 2 Champion Hurdles. They didn't have centralised ratings then, but he probably wasn't far off 77 as he was set to carry 7-2. He went off fav (I think Pat Eddery rode him, claiming 3), and finished 4th. He had been progressive as a 3yo, not too dissimilar to Zanahiyr, winning his last 2 flat races as a 3yo over 2m and 12f. He then went juvenile hurdling and went 21111131, culminating in the Triumph at the April meeting.

Sea Pigeon won the Chester Cup as a 7yo on his first run on the flat for 3 years, carrying 8-8. He was about 6 clear at the furlong pole, but tired late on and won by 2. His stable companion, 6yo Night Nurse was 4th in the race off 7-8, and was the reigning champion hurdler. Night Nurse had kept his hand in on the flat though with a run or 2 each year. Paddy Broderick, Night Nurse's hurdles partner, wasn't impressed with the ride Taffy Thomas gave him - the horse couldn't get to the front early, and then sat 2nd as the pace slowed up, and then couldn't go when Sea Pigeon shot clear approaching the final bend.

Thanks Ged, knew Sea Pigeon won the Chester Cup couldn't remember how long he hadn't ran on the flat for.
   Don't think Zanihiyr is on the level of Sea Pigeon, Persian War or Night Nurse though and he's been chasing as well.