16:30 Wolverhampton
Wednesday 15 February 2017
All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00
Betway Middle Maiden Stakes
- 4YO plus  |  Class 5  |  1m 1f 103y  |  Standard  |  11 Runners  |  Allweather  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:30Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 3m 38.53s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Reeled off a four-timer, two of the wins coming here around a year ago but handicapper eventually grabbed ahold of him. Even taking that into consideration, he's not looked in great form since and been disappointing in two starts for this yard so probably best watched for now.
Won a valuable class 2 handicap at York in the summer. Trainer has a poor record on the AW in recent times and this may serve as a prep run for a bigger target down the line but his pedigree suggests he should act on the surface and he's a player if he's ready to go on reappearance (unplaced on last two starts after a break).
Uninspiring on last five starts and particularly poor at Lingfield last time. Still 2lb above last winning mark and hard to fancy in current form.
His second in the Northumberland Vase is among the best form on offer here and he was unlucky not to win that day. The return to tapeta for the first time since may see him in a better light and he's won well fresh before so looks a leading player.
Not beaten a rival home on last two starts and seems to be slowly regressing, not won since 2014 so not one to put any faith, particularly in his current mood.
Turned a corner this winter and seems to be slowly improving. Usually arrives on the scene late so handicapper has been restricted with how much he can put him up and there's every chance this still more to come over 2m+. Hard to oppose.
C&D winner back in 2015 but had to be dismounted after the finish that day and went on to finish last when next seen. Hasn't returned from over a year off the track in the same form as his win and questions over his well-being stand currently.
Scored off a lenient looking Flat mark on return from hurdling but that was just a six-runner affair and it didn't look a strong event. Handicapper has put him 7lb for that win and while he should give another good account, he may be vulnerable for win purposes.
Two wins from five starts and makes AW debut here along with his first start for this yard after being bought for 85,000 gns. May need this after a break and has an awkward draw so may be best watched on this occasion.
Three-time winner on the AW (last three wins have all come on a synthetic surface) but hasn't won since November 2015 over 1m6f. Needs a strong gallop to aim at and first time blinkers will need to bring out some improvement as he's never won off a mark this high.
Not won since reeling off a hat-trick in 2014 and it's questionable whether he stays this far. Has an absence of a year to overcome so a watching brief may be in order.
Forecasts
Calvinist (9/4), Byron Flyer (7/2), Isharah (4/1), Oceane (6/1), Castilo Del Diablo (12/1), Percy Veer (14/1), Haines (16/1), Gang Warfare (16/1), Gavlar (40/1), Entihaa (66/1), Treasure The Ridge (100/1)
ISHARAH has been in fine form of late and despite the narrow margin of his victories, he gives the impression he has a little more up his sleeve. Byron Flyer exploited what looked like a lenient Flat mark last time but the test will be whether he can back that win up here against a better field. Calvinist cost current connections a pretty penny at the sales in October and is still low-mileage but he may need this after a break.
1. Isharah
2. Byron Flyer
3. Calvinist
Prize Money
1st: ÂŁ2,911.002nd: ÂŁ866.003rd: ÂŁ433.004th: ÂŁ216.005th: ÂŁ443.006th: ÂŁ222.00
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