Only a £3,500 prize pool for this Class 6 event but it’s extremely competitive and all of the 12 runners have chances. Read our betting preview for our tips for the 3.00pm at Wolverhampton.
IN SUMMARY: Dor’s Law has a lengthy break to overcome for Dean Ivory but he is capable and could go well at a big price. The vote however goes to PIVOTAL DREAM who will run off a very light weight having run well here on Saturday. She is yet to get her head in front but she has been hitting the frame in similar races of late and at a double figure price looks a spot of value in the field.
1 LIMONATA – Half sister to Limato and purchased for 90,000 guineas in October 2014 but still a maiden after 6 runs and yet to even place in the top three. Has shown signs of ability including when fourth at Sandown and return to this track could see an improvement. Inconsistent and, given she ran on when finishing 5th here over 1m 4f, the drop in trip isn’t certain to be beneficial. Best watched for now.
2 SEVEN CLANS – Ran well last time out at this course over 8.5 furlongs to finish second, but that was only a claimer and the form isn’t looking strong. That was his first solid run all year (despite seven attempts, including three hurdles races) but did show better form on the All Weather last year when winning a Kempton Class 5 Maiden over a mile. Adam Kirby is a good booking with a 22% strike rate at the course but he records a £97.19 level stakes loss at the course over the last five seasons and his mount looks short in the betting considering his form profile.
3 CALEDONIA LAIRD – Three wins from 40 starts for this six year old who has been a consistent handicapper but now sits a pound over his career high winning mark. A previous course winner, he has also finished up as runner up twice from his 12 starts here suggesting he does like it here. Has never finished in the top two over further than a mile and lacks a turn of pace so will find it difficult here regardless of how the race is run.
4 SYNODIC – Finally off the mark at Chelmsford last month having plummeted down the handicap from an opening mark of 79 to just 53. Failed to follow up over Course & Distance when a beaten favourite just 5 days ago, but possible that was due to being held up for too long in a race not run to suit. Potentially very well handicapped if the form of his second career start at Doncaster is to be taken literally but still hasn’t repeated that effort and looks short in a competitive race here.
5 DOR’S LAW – Lightly raced four year old who was sold for 30,000 guineas as a yearling but remains a maiden after six starts. Put in a good effort last time out at Nottingham from a tricky draw and entitled to be involved off the same mark on the All Weather having previously run well at Kempton, despite facing her elders for the first time in handicap company. First run for 180 days is a worry but trainer Dean Ivory had a winner following a similar layoff with Lancelot Du Lac on Thursday. Each Way chances.
6 TINGO IN THE TALE – Eight year old purchased cheaply in August who is now trained by Sophie Leech, hasn’t won since 2012 and losing streak now runs to 30. Finished 8th of 12 here last month off one pound higher over three furlongs further, although has finished second at Kempton twice this year over that distance. Best performances generally seem to come over further these days and lacks the pace to get involved today.
7 L’APOEE – Last seen in September when finishing well down the field over hurdles, but had won over 1m 2f at Beverly on his previous start off a mark of 55. A three pound rise looks fair from the handicapper for his All Weather debut, but half brother Mowhoob has struggled on this surface. If taking to the Tapeta track has chances but looks poor value considering the surface is an unknown and jockey Richard Kingscote is 0 from 23 at this course so far this season.
8 BREATHLESS – Overnight outsider of the field having finished well down the field on all his starts since March when winning a weak Claimer at Southwell over a mile. Steps up in trip beyond that distance for the first time but beaten 28 lengths on New Year’s Day and looks to have it all to do here off the same mark. Trainer has saddled just one winner here in 17 attempts in the last five seasons although it was priced at 25/1.
9 CELTIC ARTISAN – Dual All Weather winner (from 13 attempts) trained by Rebecca Menzies, has form figures of 24230 over Course & Distance. Last seen when finishing well down the field at Newcastle on his track debut, but had won at Chelmsford over a mile having made all that day. Has the ability to win on his day and clearly likes this distance and surface but still 2lb above his career highest winning mark and extremely inconsistent.
10 PEARLY QUEEN – Lightly raced four year old filly who has yet to finish in the top three in her seven starts to date. Steps up two furlongs for the first time which should suit on pedigree but has been well beaten on all but one of her starts so far and even a further four pound drop in the handicap fails to make her look attractive in the betting. Appears to be stable second string for Dean Ivory on early betting.
11 THATSTHEWAYTODOIT – NR
12 PIVOTAL DREAM – Four year old who gets in at an extremely light weight off a mark of 46 with Charlie Bennett taking off a further five. Remains a maiden despite 28 starts (13 on turf, 14 on All Weather) but has put in better efforts at Wolves recently finishing 4th three weeks ago and 4th again 2 days ago. Lack of recovery time is off-putting for win purposes but could run well at a big price if allowed to take his chance.