17:00 Wolverhampton

Friday 3 July 2020

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Sky Sports Racing On Sky 415 Novice Median Auction Stakes

Off time: 17:03 | Winning time: 1m 48.34s

(3)

Al Salt²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 88

2/7

Confirmed promise of debut run at Chelmsford in November with victory at Newcastle over a mile last month on return; pulling a long way clear with an easy next-time-out scorer. Will take beating now, despite the penalty.

Form: 5-1

(8)

Arlo's Sunshine⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: L McJannet

200/1

Cable Bay half-brother to a couple of useful winners, but sold cheaply as a yearling; wide-margin defeat on debut at Newmarket (7f, good to firm; 150-1) and can only be watched for now.

Form: 9

(1)

Bernard Spierpoint¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Josephine Gordon| T: S L Keightley

66/1

Bargain basement 1,200gns buy as a yearling. By Harbour Watch out of three-time Fibresand 6f winner; beaten 10L on debut at Newmarket (7f, good to firm; 125-1) recently and much more needed.

Form: 5

(5)

Billy The Squid⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Shepherd| T: George Scott

200/1

Already gelded before debut at Lingfield last month and beaten only one rival home; same story since at Newmarket (7f, good to firm; 150-1) and easily overlooked for now.

Form: 00

(4)

Byford

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: I Furtado

18/1

Cost €5,000, brother to Czech 1m winner Torque Power, half-brother to four winners inc Verba Stars (French 1m/1m½f) and Verbal Link (5½f-7f Fr/Malaysia); dam 6f-1m winner (inc at 2/Listed).

Form:

(2)

Machios²⁹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding

4/1

Gelded son of Maxios who improved on modest racecourse debut when finishing fourth despite running very free early stages in Salisbury 1m novice event in September. Gelded during winter and having first start since. Stable remains in decent form.

Form: 74-

(6)

Prize Fighting

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox

8/1

Brother to 7f-1m winner Salute The Solider (inc AW/turf/UAE dirt Grade 3), half-brother to four winners inc Way Too Hot (7f AW 2yo) and Storm Cry (6f inc 2yo); dam unraced half-sister to 6f/7f 2yo winner Seeking Star.

Form:

(11)

Wightman²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: M R Channon| OR: 72

18/1

Debut second at Salisbury (6f, soft; 8-1) hasn't been built on in three further runs; including AW bow/seasonal return at Kempton last month over 7f. Lots to prove currently.

Form: 267-0

(10)

Hotcity

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Steph Hollinshead

40/1

Half-sister to 5f winners Spray Tan (inc 2yo/AW), Hot Stuff(AW) and Warm Order (AW); dam placed 1m AW, half-sister to fairly useful 5f-6f winners Even Bolder and Goldcrest.

Form:

Non-Runners

(9)

Stay Calm

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: I Furtado J: T Eaves

(7)

Swiss Silk

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: A Brittain J: Cam Hardie

Forecasts

Al Salt (2/7), Machios (4/1), Prize Fighting (8/1), Stay Calm (16/1), Byford (18/1), Wightman (18/1), Hotcity (40/1), Bernard Spierpoint (66/1), Swiss Silk (125/1), Arlo's Sunshine (200/1), Billy The Squid (200/1)

AL SALT looks to be well above average and his Newcastle success last month has been franked by the runner-up. He should gain a second success here despite the penalty. Machios is next-best on form and retains scope for better, while Prize Fighting and Stay Calm appeal most of the newcomers.