4.30pm Wolverhampton Tips & Betting Preview 23/03/2017

This is a competitive class 5 maiden over 1m, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: There could be one or two really nice types in this and it’s worth sticking with the experienced DUSKY MAID. She’s had the benefit of two runs to date and the step up in trip should really suit her combined with a good draw in stall 5. Hidden Charms and Shift Cross need a second look in the betting as racecourse debutants with good pedigrees.

1 ALMERITA MOON – Interesting newcomer for the Marco Botti yard with a nice pedigree. She debuts over 1 mile today and this yard aren’t renowned for first time out winners so she may be best watched on debut against some experienced rivals. She’s worth a second look in the betting but her jockey booking doesn’t suggest she’s anything out of the ordinary.

2 ANGEL OF ROME – Yard have had 2 winners in the last fortnight and their Mastercraftsman filly is an interesting runner in this. She ran a fair race on debut at Lingfield over this trip and she will have learnt a lot for that experience and is piloted again by Shane Kelly here. She comes off a 128-day break but this trainer can get them ready and she’s worth a second look in the betting.

3 DUSKY MAID – £62,000 purchase and has run creditably on two starts to date over 7 furlongs at Newcastle. She progressed on her last run when beaten only 2 lengths by a potentially useful type and that form gives her a leading chance in this. She’s by Dark Angel so the step up in trip should be in her favour and she should be dangerous here for a yard with a 12% strike rate here and for a jockey with 3 wins in the last fortnight.

4 HIDDEN CHARMS – Fascinating runner as a 200,000GNS purchase as a yearling and well-related to several winners. She’s by Canford Cliffs so this trip should be fine on debut although her dam’s side is full of speed so it’ll be interesting to see how she shapes in this. This yard have an above average strike rate of 18% here and they have sent out racecourse debutant winners this season around here. Wouldn’t take a very short price on debut and market should guide.

5 KASSANDRA – Was well-supported on seasonal return at Chelmsford having been sent off the 3/1 favourite but disappointed that day and she probably needed the run. She’ll strip fitter today and should be much sharper for that experience but she has to demonstrate she is progressing and enthusiasm is slightly tempered by that last run. Tom Marquand takes the ride and she’s probably better off following in handicaps given stall 10 makes life very tricky in this.

6 MELODINE – Has run relatively well in two starts to date without ever threatening to record a victory. There was a bit of money around for her on her last start when sent off 4/1 and she may be capable of a bit more back over C&D. This yard usually find improvement in their stock when entered into handicaps and she’s probably best watched on that basis and it may pay to wait until she’s entered into handicaps.

7 MISS M – Similar profile to Melodine with two fair runs to date over 7 furlongs and today’s extended mile. She’s been sent off 11/1 and 12/1 and she’s another candidate that may do much better when entered into handicaps, perhaps back on the turf. She’s bred to want slightly-further and connections may yet step her up in trip further down the line. Market should provide the best guide.

8 NEVER FOLDING – Has run with credit in two starts to date and showed she had a liking for Wolverhampton with a fair fourth on debut here. She couldn’t match the class of her main market rival last time out but did make a go of it and the step up in trip should definitely help her here having looked a little short of pace at Lingfield. She’s been handed an awful draw in stall 11 and that makes life very difficult and she may be one for handicaps on the back of that.

9 PATCHING – One of the more experienced rivals in this but looks up against it here. She’s been given a rating of 68 but connections have left her in maiden company and it may be that she needs to drop further in the weights before getting competitive. Aaron Jones claims 3lbs but her overall form suggests she’ll need more than that to get involved here and her latest SP’s do little to inspire confidence (20/1, 100/1, 100/1 & 20/1). Best watched again today.

10 RINARIA – 20,000 Euro purchase as a foal and makes her racecourse debut for Karl Burke today. She’s related to winners around this trip and is worth respect for a yard that can ready one first time out. Would be something of a small surprise to see her win against some potentially smart rivals and the market should be the best guide to her chances today.

11 SHIFT CROSS – Second runner in this for Marco Botti and looks like the first string based on jockey bookings. She’s a daughter of Cape Cross and this mile trip should be absolutely ideal and the booking of Silvestre De Sousa looks significant. She is related to winners in and around this trip and the yard have an above average strike rate of 19% here. Worth a second look in the betting and could be up for this on racecourse debut.