led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace, held on well for 3rd final furlong
prominent on outside, weakened from 3f out
steadied start, held up towards rear, raced keenly, some late headway from 2f out, never troubled leaders
always towards rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
close up on outside, ridden to lead over 2f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, stayed on one pace
started slowly, held up in rear, some late headway, never dangerous
behind, steady headway from 2f out, kept on, not troubled leaders over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon lost touch, weakened over 2f out
took keen hold in mid-division, headway and chased leaders well over 1f out, not quicken and one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden and effort 3f out, plugged on final 2f, never dangerous
tracked leader, chased new leader over 2f out, led inside final furlong, gradually drew clear, ridden out
tracked leaders early, lost place and behind over 4f out, never dangerous afterwards
Nonrunner
Although there are doubts that the trip may be a touch short for him BLAZING BAILEY should have far too much class for these and looks a handicap blot, while Right Option and Pocketwood can get involved in the shake-up. The Alan King-trained selection is a thorough stayer who acts on any ground and in fact further rain would surely enhance his chance of success as it will bring his bottomless reserves of stamina into play. This top class staying hurdler is rated 163 over the sticks and gets in off a lowly 62 here. He will feel like he has a feather weight on his back and he will give Serena Brotherton plenty of work to do from the plate, but it is difficult to see him not being good enough. Right Option is another dropping back in trip and acts okay on good to soft, though he has never won on it and that is a slight concern. Pocketwood has his ideal trip and ground and he likes it here. A 6lb penalty for winning last time is not insurmountable and he is respected. Kerayasi will probably want better ground than this to give his best but Harry The Hawk will relish conditions and trip and can get very competitive from his current mark. Jenny Soba is another who loves the mud and this trip is ideal, so she will be no back number, but if Blazing Bailey is anything like fit he really should win this en route to bigger prizes.
Pocketwood 4-1 (9-11) Made all, driven over 1f out, in command final furlong, stayed on well, won at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) sft beating Xtravaganza (8-13) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cape Greko 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Elopement (10-5) at Ascot 1m 4f amt hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Sept '07.
Lady Friend 33-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up, headway on rails over 3f out, soon outpaced, beaten, 7th of 9, 16l behind Storyland (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 4f fll hcp (3) gf.
Harry The Hawk 13-2 (9-9) Held up, keen, headway to chase leaders 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Bavarian Nordic (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) hvy.
Right Option (IRE) 9-2 (9-11) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, led approaching 1f out, kept on, won at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept beating River Kent (8-8) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Benfleet Boy 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 14, 20l behind The Fifth Member (9-5) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Alfie Noakes 7-1 (9-8) Led to over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 13, 30l behind Mount Lavinia (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Kerayasi (FR) 10-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, quickened inside final furlong, always holding runner up, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Ommadawn (9-7) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Jenny Soba 8-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, chased winner 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, nk behind Opera Writer (9-4) at Warwick 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
Penang Cinta 9-2 (9-10) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out and no impression, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Summer Lodge (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Great View (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 12th of 17, 23l behind Hawridge Star (10-10) at Haydock 1m 6f amt hcp 0-80 (5) hvy in Sept.
Blazing Bailey 15-2 (8-13) Led, headed over 3f out, soon outpaced, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 13l behind Whispering Death (8-4) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Oct '05.
Scania Classic 22-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 10, 17l behind Silk Hall (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Wait For The Light 5-1 (9-9) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 9th of 11, 13l behind Five Two (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
