A field of eight go to post for the forth race of the day at Wolverhampton on Thursday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.
IN SUMMARY: La Vie On Rose has been progressing nicely of late but this can go to her old rival OXFORD BLU. Sir Mark Prescott’s three year old beat the aforementioned rival at Newcastle on his penultimate start, clearing away by three lengths and he meets him on better times this around, with the possibility he can be even better this season for a yard who do well here with their three year olds. Luke Morris takes the ride and he’s the one to beat in this.
1 LA VIE ON ROSE – Mark Johnston three year old who has won her last two races for Miss K Rausing, storming away to win her latest start at Catterick seven days ago on the turf, backing up her penultimate start where she won on the all weather at Lingfield. She will have no problem returning to the synthetics and has very strong follow up claims under a penalty with Silvestre De Sousa taking over the ride, so it’s hard to see her not going well. Respected.
2 TRUE ROMANCE – Still a maiden after five runs for James Given but he has been far from disgraced on his latest two runs, returning this season with a fifth at Thirsk in April after running well for a very long way. He was upped to 1m 2f for his latest start at Beverley where he finished a keeping on third, only beaten around a length and a further step up in trip looks hugely in his favour. The switch to the all weather shouldn’t be an issue and he remains on a mark of 65, so if building on that latest run he’s likely in with a huge chance. Has to be considered with Tom Eaves retaining the ride.
3 TOR – Won a maiden at Musselburgh on his second start back in October but he is yet to build on that in five subsequent runs, with his latest well held forth over C&D his best effort so far. In that run he looked one paced towards the finish and was ultimately beaten around four lengths, with the handicapper keeping him on the same mark. If building on that latest run he’d have possible each way claims but that isn’t guaranteed and others make more appeal.
4 OXFORD BLU – Three year old for Sir Mark Prescott who hasn’t been seen since November, where he won on his penultimate start at Newcastle in a Nursery when comfortably dispatching La Vie En Rose on that occasion. He was subsequently raised 6lb and could only manage forth on his latest start at Chelsmford, well beaten after staying on far too late. He returns off the same mark today and the step up in trip to 1m 4f should suit massively, meeting La Vie On Rose on even better terms this time around, though that rival has improved since. He’s a likely contender under Luke Morris for a yard that has won here three times from nine three year old runners this year.
5 EVERY NICE GIRL – Three year old filly for Marco Botti who has shown little in four starts for the yard, beaten around seven lengths in all three of her maiden starts. Things didn’t get any better on her seasonal and handicap debut at Windsor in April, finishing eleventh and beaten out of sight after weakening rapidly when asked for an effort. On pedigree this new trip could suit but she is too risky to back at present and others are far more persuasive.
6 PADLEYOUROWNCANOE – Won three starts ago at Southwell in fine style and he hasn’t necessarily been disgraced on his last two runs, finishing well at Wolverhampton when last seen in April. He is worth another go back at this trip after not seeing it out on his penultimate start at Southwell though he never looked himself on that day and can be excused it. A mark of 58 shouldn’t be beyond him at his best and he’s another to consider under Dane O’Neill.
7 ALL ABOUT THE PACE – Seven race maiden for Mark Usher who posted a career best effort on her latest start at this course, returning from a four month lay off to finish third over the 1m 1f trip. She remains on the same mark and could build on that run upped in trip, which looks likely to be the right move for the three year old. She’s an each way contender under Steve Drowne with her pedigree suggesting she can improve for the step up in trip.
8 JUST HEATHER – Has struggled badly in four starts thus far for John Wainwright, beaten a distance in all of those and this looks an uphill task. It’s hard to get excited about her chances upped in trip as she has shown so little and others are readily preferred with both the yard and jockey very much quiet at present.