1:10 Wolverhampton
A maiden for colts and fillies over 5f(20y). With 13 runners a low draw could be an advantage, while a high draw may lead to traffic problems. With the majority of these limited at best, only a handful of two-year-olds make any appeal. Manoori is most likely to go off favourite, and has been quite well backed on the exchanges over night. Wall is a consistent trainer and does well with his juveniles and for this level sets a fair standard. This daughter of Dalakhani has plenty of speed and looked a winner on her last start at Kempton but was caught close home. From a low draw Manoori has the potential to lead and certainly has a number of advantages in her favour today and should go close, but may be vulnerable at the finish. Although this bay filly has a leading chance it is worth noting that the form of the Kempton race is only fair. Barbieri and Barnet Fair are much better horses over 6f so their proximity was a slight negative and Darwin Star was not so far away in fourth and she is plating class. The main danger could be Hygrove Gal, trained by Brian Smart. A rather small filly, this daughter of Auction House ran well on debut at Pontefract when second to Old Master Expert. Smart's two-year-old didn't lack for speed that day and will probably need to be just as fast away from stall 8 to hold a decent position, which is crucial over this 5f. On Pontefract form, through Barnet Fair, she has the beating of Manoori. However, it is difficult to assess what happened at Catterick when a beaten favourite. The form of that race isn't holding up and if that was Hygrove Gal's running, she will struggle to win. It could well be the case that Smart's filly simply didn't handle the soft ground, which I would conclude most likely. Smart has very good statistics with his fancied juveniles on their second start, which suggest things didn't go to plan. If bouncing back to the form of the Pontefract debut, she has decent place claims and a fighting chance of a win. Of the rest, Go Maggie Go, would be interesting if backed. Ryan's two-year-old was a 7/2 shot when disappointing on debut but hasn't been seen since May. She could have ability but has something to prove.
Note: 'By the way Hygrove Gal drifted in the betting just before the off it was clear this filly had regressed and unsurprisingly ran no race.'
1:40 Wolverhampton
A poor race with limited form on offer. Insolenceofoffice should have a favourite's chance but from stall 9 wouldn't be my idea of a good bet. Duffield's two-year-old has been placed on every run and deserves to get her head in front but whether this will be her day is another matter. The draw is a concern but she may have the speed and experience to get to the rail. The main opposition has something to prove. If Just For Leo came back to his best form he would take all the beating. Evans is a shrewd trainer and if there is money for this gelding it could be worth following, especially from a low draw and a horse that has good speed. Another, who looks next to hopeless but may be capable of better, is *Black Cadillac. Dropping from 7f to 5f after showing speed at Newmarket, this colt looks a puzzler. However, a horse can always be excused a poor first effort and if backed I would expect a much-improved performance. Quite an intriguing race in its own way and it may pay to look beyond the favourite.
*NR
Today's races:
1:10 Wolverhampton
1:40 Wolverhampton
2:50 Wolverhampton
3:20 Wolverhampton