led, driven and headed over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 1f out, staying on when short of room inside final furlong, no extra
held up, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway from 2f out, not clear run inside final furlong, no danger after
slowly into stride, always behind
tracked leaders, hard ridden to challenge from well over 1f out, unable to quicken
held up in touch, led over 3f out, soon driven clear, headed inside final furlong, no extra
in touch, hard ridden to challenge 2f out, never on terms
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out
started very slowly, raced in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon hard driven to challenge, led inside final furlong, all out
slowly into stride, always behind
Litenup, Mid Wicket and Womaniser all have to be on the short-list but it may be worth taking a chance with OUR KES. Litenup has to shoulder a penalty for her win at Kempton but she may well benefit from having for her head in front for the first time and have more to offer. However, she was allowed the luxury of a soft lead and may not enjoy that here. Mid Wicket is relatively unexposed and ran well when a nose in front of Womaniser at Kempton but he still appeared a little green and ungainly around the turn for home which raises doubts about his ability to handle this track. He's fitted with cheekpieces which may improve his concentration. Womaniser battled back well having lost his position to record one of his better efforts but he's been difficult to win with and that could remain the case. Jiggalong and Topflight Wildbird are two to note in the market for signs of encouragement but Paul Howling has his string in excellent form so we'll side with Our Kes. Her recent form leaves something to be desired but she's slipped to a decent mark and is reunited with Tom Queally who has a good record when aboard her and the pair may be able to fly home.
Litenup (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Made all, set steady pace until quicken 2f out, in command over 1f out, ridden out, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-52 (6) pol beating Space Pirate (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Our Kes (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 11, 9l behind Tyrana (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Too Grand 8-1 (8-1) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 4th inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 8, 2l behind Smokey Rye (8-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Binnion Bay (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Slowly in to stride, in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind Very Well Red (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Boogie Dancer 10-1 (9-0) Held up in last trio, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never going pace to race leaders, 5th of 8, 3/4l behind Gheed (8-7) at Kempton 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol.
Womaniser (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, soon chasing winner, no impression and lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Lyrical Intent (8-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Jiggalong 25-1 (8-12) In rear, headway on inside 3f out, ridden and kept on, no chance, 4th of 14, 17l behind Sunny Spells (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Mister Frosty (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) In touch, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 11, 33l behind Stormy Summer (9-0) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fbs.
Mid Wicket (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, pushed along 4f out, headway on outside to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on into 2nd post, never troubled winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Lyrical Intent (8-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Topflight Wildbird 12-1 (8-7) In touch, effort 3f out, 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 12th of 16, 15l behind Dark Energy (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (5) gs in Oct '07.
Turner's Touch 14-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, ridden to soon track leaders, ridden 4f out, kept on final 2f, never going pace to challenge, 5th of 14, 6l behind Mr Plod (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Dec.
Turkish Sultan (IRE) 12-1 (7-13) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 4l behind Coolnaharan (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Nicky Nutjob (GER) 50-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, in rear, never near leaders, 11th of 14, 13l behind Amazing King (9-9) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jul.