3.25pm Wolverhampton Tips & Betting Preview 23/03/2017

This is a competitive class 6 handicap over 1m 4f, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: There are several with claims in this and a chance is taken on THE LAST DEBUTANTE. Mark Johnston has an excellent record at Newcastle and his filly should improve again for her second attempt over 1m 4f. Bessemer Lady is an obvious threat as she goes for the double but she has a hefty rise in the handicap to deal with and that tempers enthusiasm.

1 INTISHA – Takes a big step up in trip today having raced over 6 and 7 furlongs last season. The extra distance should suit based on her pedigree and it’s interesting that connections apply a tongue-tie for the first time here which may bring about more improvement. She’s slipped into Class 6 company for the first time and Mitch Godwin’s 5lb claim could leave her on a very nice mark in this. She’s of interest in this and any market support would be significant off a 203-day break.

2 THE LAST DEBUTANTE – This Henrythenavigator filly has had a busy winter with six runs since November. Her two latest efforts have shown improvement and she’s certainly capable of scoring in this grade off what looks a feasible mark. She runs at Newcastle for the first time today and the trip of 1m 4f looks ideal for a filly that looked to enjoy every yard at Wolverhampton last time out. Mark Johnston has a decent record here (17% strike rate) and she’s worthy of respect here.

3 BESSEMER LADY – Ralph Beckett’s filly got off the mark in handicap company at Wolverhampton on her last start when stepped up to a mile and four furlongs. She remains over that trip today and the handicapper was suitably impressed by that run by raising her 8lbs in the handicap. That will ask more of her in this but she’s a lightly-raced type and this is only her second start in handicap company. Richard Kingscote is in red-hot form of late with 5 winners in his last 9 rides and she is likely to be popular in the betting in this.

4 SPIRIT OF ROME – Finished 2 lengths behind Bessemer Lady when making her handicap debut at Wolverhampton at the end of February. She gets a 5lb swing in the weights today which should offer her supporters some hope given she’s also lightly-raced and makes just her fifth start in this. She should continue to improve for the extra distance given her sire is Mastercraftsman and she’s another with a good chance in this if she can take a step forward having been raised 3lbs in the handicap.

5 LOG OFF – David Evans is in good form of late with 3 winners in the past fortnight and his filly isn’t without a chance in this. She got off the mark in a Southwell maiden and she’s followed that up with two inconsistent runs on both the fibresand and a quicker surface. She’s on a mark of 60 now and she steps up in trip to 1m 4f which doesn’t look an obvious positive based on breeding. She can’t be ruled out though and there has been plenty of money around for her so she’s worth a second look in the betting.

6 LADOFASH – Remains a maiden after 8 starts and has yet to place on any occasion. She steps up to 1m 4f today for the first time so that may offer some hope for improvement but her pedigree doesn’t look to suggest that’ll be ideal and it would be a minor surprise to see him win here. He has dropped 14lbs in the handicap since receiving a mark and he should get competitive sooner rather than later and this is his first race in Class 6 company. Visor is left on and yard has had a recent winner.

7 KNIGHTSBRIDGE LIAM – Lightly-raced gelding and makes his second start in handicap company today having gone close last time out at Wolverhampton off a mark of 56. He was sent off 33/1 but only failed by 3/4 of a length and the handicapper has given him a chance only raising him 2lbs to a mark of 58 today. The form isn’t the strongest but this race isn’t particularly good either and he steps up another half furlong in trip today. Interesting.

8 AV A WORD – Steps up to 1m 4f for the first time today which looks as if it’ll suit (by Aussie Rules) off a mark of 55. His best effort came last time out when beaten 2 1/2 lengths over a mile at Southwell and it’s questionable how strong that form will turn out to be. Luke Morris is a good booking and there has been money around for him on his last couple of starts so the market should provide a good guide again.

9 AFFAIR – Best effort came on the turf back in June of last year when a 2 3/4 length third over 6 furlongs so it’s a surprise to see her stepped up in trip to 1m 4f again. She’s bred for slightly shorter than this and it would be a surprise to see her win this based on her form of late which has been below par. She looks as if she’ll need to drop another few pounds before she can get competitive for a jockey riding his second professional race today.