17:45 Wolverhampton

Friday 24 January 2020

All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Betway Classified Claiming Stakes

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 2m 49.55s

(5)

Ghost Serge^v⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Finley Marsh⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 69| CD

6/4

Has a few quirks but responded well for this rider to narrowly score over C&D on Sunday. Hard to be confident he will be in a similar mood.

Form: 1505/71

(7)

Dream Magic¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Kevin Lundie⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 70| CD

3/1

Three of his five victories have come over C&D and he arrives on top of his game having won two of his last three. Favoured by the weights and looks the obvious one to beat.

Form: 07514-1

(2)

Adams Park^v¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: B A Curtis| T: M Appleby| OR: 65

9/1

Winning hurdler who remains a Flat maiden having found 2m too far last time. His only success came from the front so it would be interesting if his new handler changes recent tactics.

Form: 5/7045-8

(4)

Totally Committed¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Charlie Bennett| T: B R Millman| OR: 67

66/1

Returned from a three year absence to finish a remote last of nine here two weeks ago. Would be hard to recommend on his best form of 2016 so easily passed over.

Form: 71354/9

(1)

First Flight⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 8-8| J: A Mullen| T: A G Newcombe| OR: 70| C| D

20/1

Has a record of two wins and two close seconds in claimers. Needs to rebound from a terrible stable debut, but would be highly favoured at the weights should he do so.

Form: 163320-

(6)

Star Talent^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: George Rooke⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 52

20/1

12-race maiden whose best efforts have come at this venue. The weights for this contest give him a fair bit to find and a tendency to hang under pressure makes his claims even less persuasive.

Form: 73497-9

(3)

Ezzrah^v¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-1| J: Jane Elliott| T: C Fellowes| OR: 57

11/4

Has less miles on the clock than his rivals and the weights for this give him every chance. However, he has looked one paced and a drop in trip makes this harder.

Form: 50025-4

Forecasts

Ghost Serge (6/4), Ezzrah (11/4), Dream Magic (3/1), Adams Park (9/1), Star Talent (20/1), First Flight (20/1), Totally Committed (66/1)

Mick Appleby's runners are always worth a second look at this level and the booking of Ben Curtis for Adams Park signals an intention to give the winning hurdler every chance of a maiden Flat success. He has looked one paced in recent races and preference is for DREAM MAGIC who has looked comfortable in similar company lately and who is weighted to gain another victory at this venue. Ghost Serge cannot be relied upon to follow up Sunday's success, whereas First Flight has a reliable record in this class but needs to rebound from a poor debut for this yard.