20:30 Wolverhampton

Saturday 14 March 2020

All17:2518:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Betway Maiden Stakes

Off time: 20:33 | Winning time: 1m 13.04s

(6)

Aweemaweh²⁰⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: M R Channon

12/1

Well-backed ahead of both starts and the form of his debut run worked out well. Absent since finding the trip too sharp last time and the yard have had a couple of winners lately.

Form: 47-

(3)

Gherkin¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Rob Hornby| T: W S Kittow

50/1

Unfancied ahead of his C&D debut and ran accordingly to be beaten 14L into mid-division. In another strong heat on this occasion and readily opposed.

Form: 6

(2)

Karibana¹⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 79

2/1

Ran to a solid level when placed in all three starts in novice/maiden races last season. Yard are bang in-form at present, and as long as fitness and the sharper trip are not issues, he is entitled to be considered a major player.

Form: 332-

(10)

Meraas

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston

11/4

By Oasis Dream out of a Group 3 winning miler. Half-brother to Global Hero who has won twice over a mile including one race at this venue. Trip looks an obvious concern.

Form:

(9)

Never Dark³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 74| BF

2/1

Has run to a similar level on all three starts and has been expensive to follow thus far. Others have stronger form and have also indicated more signs of progression. It's now time for him to produce what he has clearly shown at home.

Form: 3-22

(11)

Eye Smiling¹⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Cam Hardie| T: D O'Meara

50/1

Picked up for €6,000 in February having shown some ability in Ireland. Likely to make her mark in due course but she is highly tried here.

Form: 75-

(1)

Joyfilly

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: F Norton| T: E Walker

20/1

67,000 gns daughter of Kodiac out of an unraced half-sister to three Listed winners. Respected on that pedigree but the yard's horses tend to improve for a run.

Form:

(7)

Rosina Rose

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Joey Haynes| T: S L Keightley

100/1

£10,000 Heeraat filly out of a plating class mare who has produced a couple of minor winners. Those clues indicate this will be a tough debut.

Form:

(8)

Sepia Belle⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Miss A Murphy

40/1

Has speed in the pedigree and she now drops in trip following two runs at Lingfield over 7f-1m. Has not shown enough to suggest she will be a factor here.

Form: 5-6

(4)

Shecandoo

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: T Eaves| T: C Allen

16/1

Toronado half-sister to prolific winners Arrowzone and Arleccino's Leap. She too may need handicaps in the future and a watching brief is advised.

Form:

(5)

Valentine Blues

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: T Ward

20/1

Clodovil half-sister to Celsius who has won four 5f handicaps for this yard. Highly tried on debut and will undoubtedly come on for the experience.

Form:

Non-Runners

(12)

Captivated¹⁵⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: D Loughnane J: P J McDonald

Forecasts

Never Dark (2/1), Karibana (2/1), Meraas (11/4), Captivated (5/1), Aweemaweh (12/1), Shecandoo (16/1), Joyfilly (20/1), Valentine Blues (20/1), Sepia Belle (40/1), Eye Smiling (50/1), Gherkin (50/1), Rosina Rose (100/1)

Joyfilly and Meraas are interesting newcomers in a trappy looking contest where form pick Karibana probably needs further and Captivated has moved yards. Aweemaweh was highly regarded last year and could prove a lot better this term. He is bred for speed as is NEVER DARK who is a half-brother to Dark Shot. The Kingsclere runner has proved expensive to follow thus far, but this looks a good opportunity to recover those losses.