always rear division
in touch, led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, towards rear, pushed along and headway over 5f out, ridden when weakening over 2f out
towards rear, ridden along and headway over 3f out, never reached challenging position
prominent, pushed along over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, pushed along over 4f out, effort over 2f out, no impression
led and was headed after 1f, remained in touch, reminders over 4f out, weakened 2f out
held up, smooth headway to lead on bit over 1f out, quickened clear, easily
prominent, ridden along over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f
mid-division, pushed along over 6f out, weakened over 2f out
dwelt, always towards rear
Laurollie, Ndola and Blue Opal look the three for the shortlist and we side with Blue Opal. Sally Hall's skill in placing horses is well known and Blue Opal battled gamely to repel Iamback over course-and-distance last time out. She appears capable of following up. Laurollie was third in that race and was a derisory price on the day given her previous form on the trip. It will be interesting to see if she shows up to this engagement as she holds an entry on Monday. Ndola invariably attracts attention through the Barney Curley connection. Scotty's Future is one of the trickiest horses in racing and is passed over. Romil Star has won plenty over the years around here and while his recent form is no recommendation, the assessor is at least giving him a chance at the age of nine. Diafa put in his best ever run at Kempton ut although it remains to be seen as to whether he can build upon it. Impeccable Guest drops to this level for the first time having struggled in handicaps.Coffin Dodger has place claims. An intriguing race in which Blue Opal looks to have a decent attitude and there is every chance that it will be enough to land the spoils.
Scotty's Future (IRE) 22-1 (8-10) Always behind, 11th of 12, 13l behind Virginia Rose (8-4) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Abbeygate 9-1 (9-6) Dwelt, plenty to do 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 13, nk behind Three Boars (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f banded stk (7) pol.
Romil Star (GER) 4-1fav (9-1) Chased leaders, weakened well over 2f out, 6th of 13, 10l behind Bienheureux (9-9) at Southwell 1m 4f hcap (6) fbs in Jul.
Ndola 8-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and no headway over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 9l behind Ocean Rock (9-10) at Kempton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in Oct.
Blue Opal 6-1 (9-5) In touch, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, led over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f banded stk (7) fbs in Oct beating Iamback (9-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Cragganmore Creek 66-1 (9-3) Mid-division, effort 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, ran on well, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Three Boars (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f banded stk (7) pol.
Coffin Dodger 8-1 (8-3) Dwelt, held up, headway on inside over 3f out, chased winner 2f out, ridden and one pace, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Maria Antonia (8-5) at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs.
Laurollie 33-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Blue Opal (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f banded stk (7) fbs in Oct.
