15:35 Wolverhampton

Thursday 12 December 2019

All15:3516:0516:3517:0517:3518:05

Betway Classified Stakes

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 1m 13.61s

(11)

Alaskan Bay¹⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Cameron Noble⁽³⁾| T: Rae Guest| OR: 48| C

16/1

Was in fair form this tie of the year in 2018 mainly over 5f at Wolverhamton; struggled over the summer over various trips and goings; runs at Chelmsford on Wednesday.

Form: 268898

(9)

Auntie June⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Liam Keniry| T: R Brotherton| OR: 36

100/1

Nothing in five runs to suggest she'll play forward role; always in rear and just beat a couple home last week at this track.

Form: 8560

(4)

Cuban Spirit⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: L Carter| OR: 49| CD

10/1

His sole success came over course and distance but has been out of form since including on last run when finishing last of 12 in October here over seven furlongs; others look a better option.

Form: 080400

(3)

Dodgy Bob^v⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Phil Dennis| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 46| D

15/2

Posted a handful of near misses at this course in low-grade races at the start of 2019 but remains without a win to his name for over two years now; occasionally steps up his game but not one to rely upon these days.

Form: 993657

(7)

Illustrious Spirit^p⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: A Stronge| OR: 44

7/1

Front.runner but has never really looked like winning a race to date; best run was arguably last time out at Kempton (7f) at the end of October which gives him chances against some inconsistent opponents.

Form: 0076-05

(10)

Isabella Ruby^h¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Gavin Ashton⁽⁷⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 47

7/1

Still a maiden after 24 starts but has been showing enough promise in her last two runs over course and distance to suggest she is no forlorn hope in this contest.

Form: 406384

(1)

Loveatfirstlight^p1⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S W Kelly| T: J W Unett| OR: 48

25/1

Has shown very little in four racecourse appearances and not looked the most straightforward; still relatively unexposed and open to improvement but not one to trust; first time cheekpieces may help.

Form: U-096

(13)

Nananita¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D C Costello| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 49

50/1

Showed plenty of promise this time last year over sprint distances but has plenty to prove following two recent weak efforts here and at Chelmsford.

Form: 6-36800

(12)

Poppy May¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: J G Given| OR: 48| D

10/1

Was in good form earlier this year but has struggled in handicaps since finishing 2nd over course and distance in April; drop in class may see her get back to winning ways but needs to bounce back from recent poor efforts.

Form: 126878

(6)

Rock Warbler^e/s³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 44| D

8/1

Fairly decent handicapper in his day but has not really been competitive in a long while despite being given plenty of chances by the handicapper; risky proposition these days.

Form: 006900

(5)

Sagittarian Wind^p1,t¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 50

7/2

Overall form figures do not inspire much confidence but reserved her best for this track over 7f in October when a well backed favourite; cheekpieces applied for the first time and it will be interesting what the market says about her chances.

Form: 004390

(2)

Savannah Beau⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 45| D

50/1

Have to go back to 2016 to find the last time he visited the winners enclosure, looks very moderate these days and rarely beats a rival home; others preferred.

Form: 9406-00

(8)

Valley Belle^p,t1³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Grace McEntee⁽⁷⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 50| D

15/2

Has some talent but not the most consistent; better chance than most on best form but needs to bounce back from below par run last time out at Newcastle over five furlongs; first-time tongue tie may help.

Form: 248060

Forecasts

Sagittarian Wind (7/2), Isabella Ruby (7/1), Illustrious Spirit (7/1), Valley Belle (15/2), Dodgy Bob (15/2), Rock Warbler (8/1), Poppy May (10/1), Cuban Spirit (10/1), Alaskan Bay (16/1), Loveatfirstlight (25/1), Savannah Beau (50/1), Nananita (50/1), Auntie June (100/1)

Question marks against almost the entire field and a very tentative nod goes to SAGITTARIAN WIND. She put in her best performance at this track in October with plenty of market support but could only finish third. Open to improvement, this could be the day she gets off the mark. Valley Belle needs to show improvement on her latest run but she has talent and the application of a first-time tongue may help. Poppy May has form at this track and although she has not been at the top of her game lately, she could bounce back.