OUR KES hides nothing from the handicapper but might be good enough to land this from Under Fire and Turkish Sultan. The mare has been dropped a couple of pounds by the assessor following some moderate runs, but this is a dire contest and she might just be able to give the weight away. A winner off 55 back in September of last year, she's been placed or better in over a third of her starts on artificial surfaces and in this company looks more reliable than most. Under Fire is probably the one to beat and may go off favourite under Hayley Turner. This one was only beaten a short head last time over a furlong further and if he repeats that performance a slight rise in the weights not scupper connections' hopes of glory. Turkish Sultan completes the shortlist for Milton Bradley's yard. The gelding has only one win to his name but should be capable of taking a place with the assistance of Ryan Clark in the saddle, whose 7lb claim can help. Little Firecracker has been in good form in admittedly modest hurdles company, so she'd have a chance if translating those efforts to this surface, whilst Flying Gazebo is unexposed and therefore worth a market check. Similar comments apply to Classic Blue who represents in-form and shrewd connections and her handicap mark looks a fair one, so she rates a bigger threat than Binnion Bay who might need dropping a pound or two. Piper's Song looks opposable on his poor record here, Crystal B Good has form figures that paint their own picture and both Mid Wicket and Tuning Fork have showed little to get excited about lately. Another weak contest and our selection to land it is Our Kes.
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.
Under Fire (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 10, shd behind Winning Show (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Binnion Bay (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 7l behind Winning Show (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Piper's Song (IRE) 22-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, never in contention, 8th of 10, 28l behind Shadows Lengthen (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Crystal B Good (USA) 20-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, eased over 1f out, last of 11, 27l behind Tanley (8-8) at Lingfield 6f Handicap (0-58) (4yo+) (6) pol.
Classic Blue (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Towards rear, well behind 3f out, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Hint Of Honey (8-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Flying Gazebo (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 21l behind Kames Park (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Mid Wicket (USA) 33-1 (9-1) Led, headed 7f out, tracked leaders after, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 12th of 13, 5l behind Climate (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) 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.
Little Firecracker 33-1 (9-0) Started very slowly, in rear, headway well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 9l behind High Five Society (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (7) pol in Feb.
Tuning Fork 40-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, 13th of 14, 29l behind Sovereignty (8-4) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
