16:20 Wolverhampton

Monday 4 January 2021

All15:5016:2016:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:50

Betway Classified Stakes (Div 2)

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 1m 1.86s

(11)

Amazing Amaya²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: J P Sullivan| T: D Shaw| OR: 48| D

25/1

Modest mare. Only one win from 21 Flat runs, and eleventh of 14 in handicap at Southwell (5f, 14/1) 29 days ago. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 723740-

(10)

Arnoul Of Metz^p⁴³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Laura Pearson⁽⁷⁾| T: L McJannet| OR: 47| C

10/1

Course winner but off 14 months since ninth of 10 in handicap at Kempton (5f) on final run for Henry Spiller. Not taken lightly at these weights if tuned up on comeback for his new yard.

Form: 520309/

(1)

Blackcurrent^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Rowan Scott| T: A D Brown| OR: 48| D

11/4

Unreliable individual who finally got off the mark in 5f handicap (10/1) at Newcastle 20 days ago. Not easiest to predict, however, so others appeal more.

Form: 067981-

(3)

Bluella²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: A Mullen| T: M Appleby| OR: 46| D

15/2

It's now eleven runs since sole win in 2019, and below-form fourth of 11 in handicap at this C&D (20/1) 2 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 24304-4

(5)

First Excel^b,t¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: S R Bowring| OR: 49

3/1

Arrives on a long losing run but he posted good third of 10 in handicap (20/1) at this course (6.1f) 16 days ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 866333-

(6)

George Thomas¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Selma Grage⁽⁷⁾| T: R Eddery| OR: 50| D

15/2

Arrives well below par, only eighth of 10 in handicap at Southwell (5f) 18 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 492208-

(8)

Leo's Luckyman²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Joey Haynes| T: D Flood| OR: 26

150/1

Poor maiden who offered little when tenth of 11 in handicap at this C&D 2 days ago. Readily opposed.

Form: P7560-0

(4)

Mansfield¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 50| CD

4/1

C&D winner in September who has largely continued in good form, third of 10 in handicap here (15/2) 17 days ago. Merits serious consideration.

Form: 641373-

(2)

Secret Identity^h1¹¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: T Eaves| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 46

33/1

Modest maiden but off track since below-form fourth of 9 in handicap (14/1) over C&D in September. Hood on and needs to hit the ground running on return.

Form: 445564-

(7)

The Pretty Way¹⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 45

25/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Last of 8 in 6f nursery (16/1) at Windsor back in August so something to prove on her tapeta debut now.

Form: 7758-

Non-Runners

(9)

Sacred Legacy²¹

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: R Harris J: Daniel Muscutt

Forecasts

Blackcurrent (11/4), First Excel (3/1), Mansfield (4/1), George Thomas (15/2), Bluella (15/2), Arnoul Of Metz (10/1), Sacred Legacy (16/1), Amazing Amaya (25/1), The Pretty Way (25/1), Secret Identity (33/1), Leo's Luckyman (150/1)

Lots with question marks against them but MANSFIELD is a reliable sort who arrives in good nick and can also boast a C&D victory so he is given the vote. Course-winner Arnoul of Metz is weighted to have a big say on his yard debut for Luke McJannet but a long absence rather tempers enthusiasm. First Excel appeals as the pick of the remainder and a solid place prospect.