in touch 4f, lost place and behind, headway over 1f out, took 2nd final furlong, no chance with winner
towards rear, kept on from over 1f out but never in contention
started slowly, behind, headway halfway, ran on to take 3rd inside final furlong, never nearer
soon tracked leader, led approaching 3f out, ridden clear 2f out, ran on well, easily
took keen hold behind, weakened over 3f out, eased over 1f out, pulled up inside final furlong and dismounted
led to over 3f out, kept on until weakened over 1f out
started slowly, always in rear, never dangerous final 2f
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never threatened
in touch, chased winner 2f out, no impression over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress over 1f out
mid-division, ridden, outpaced final 2f
CLASSIC BLUE looks the most likely winner of this modest opener, and is selected to get the better of likely main rivals Generous Lad and Stand Guard. The selection, one of three course and distance winners, is towards the bottom of the weights, despite an impressive autumn campaign with a win and two seconds to her name following a lay-off since the summer. Stand Guard, drawn alongside the selection, is one of the few others to have some decent form, winning here last month in another lowly race. Generous Lad last won a year ago, but should still be too good for a number of these. Tumbling down the weights, he's now at a very competitive level. New England's been away from the track for more than two years after previously showing some form on the all-weather. It's not exactly a crackerjack of an opener for Bonfire Night, but we think the one to beat is Classic Blue.
Old Romney 7-2jt-fav (9-3) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened, 10th of 13, 10l behind Strike Force (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Parnassian 20-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out but not trouble leaders, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Ryedale Ovation (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Generous Lad (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) In touch, hard ridden to lead over 1f out, leant on and headed line, 2nd of 16, shd behind Yes Eighteen (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Stand Guard 5-2fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, rapid headway halfway, tracked leading pair 3f out, led over 2f out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 1m 2f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Oct beating Turkish Sultan (8-12) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
New England 8-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, effort 2f out, stayed on, 5th of 12, 8l behind Writ (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct '06.
Pab Special (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Towards rear, held when hampered approaching 1f out, 12th of 16, 5l behind Yes Eighteen (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Sir Haydn 20-1 (9-9) Took keen hold, held up, always in rear, last of 14, 21l behind Oasis Sun (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Royal Manor 9-2 (9-1) In touch, ridden along 3f out, outpaced from over 2f out, 7th of 14, 8l behind Sainglend (9-4) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Oct.
Classic Blue (IRE) 15-8fav (8-12) In touch, driven and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not reached winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Lord Theo (9-5) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Spume (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Raced keenly in mid-division, effort 3f out, staying on when not much room entering final furlong, no impression, 10th of 14, 18l behind Sir Sandicliffe (9-2) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Oct.
Sky Quest (IRE) 66-1 (8-1) Tracked leaders, switched left 3f out, soon ridden to chase leaders and weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 13, 17l behind Moves Goodenough (9-2) at Bath 1m app hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Karmei 10-3 (9-1) Held up in rear, brief effort over 3f out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 19l behind Ogre (8-10) at Brighton 1m 2f clm (6) gf in Jun.
Tyrana (GER) 50-1 (9-4) Always in the rear, 12th of 13, 12l behind Dinner Date (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Promise Maker (USA) 40-1 (9-3) Always behind, 8th of 14, 23l behind Jaadull (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
