19:30 Wolverhampton

Saturday 22 January 2022

All16:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

Betway Classified Stakes (Div 1)

Off time: 19:32 | Winning time: 1m 13.49s

(6)

Brazen Arrow^v¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: Mrs C A Dunnett| OR: 46

10/3

Ran up to best when third at Chelmsford (6f) in December but not in same form when fourth of 10 in minor event back at that venue 16 days ago. Still, no forlorn hope in this line up.

Form: 07293-4

(1)

Deconso²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: L P Keniry| T: C N Kellett| OR: 42| CD

18/1

C&D winner. Latest win at Carlisle in August. Eleventh of 12 in handicap at this course (7.2f, 40/1) 23 days ago. Difficult to recommend at present.

Form: 917080-

(5)

First Verse¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Charlie Bennett| T: M D I Usher| OR: 46

10/3

Holding her form well, keeping on to finish length fourth of 10 in a 5f minor event here 2 weeks ago. Looks one of the likelier types.

Form: 87242-4

(3)

Giant Steps^b¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Joanna Mason⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 41

11/1

Operating below his best upon returning this winter, refitting of blinkers failing to work the oracle when eighth of 11 in handicap at this course (7.2f) 12 days ago. Drops back in trip now.

Form: 39/099-8

(2)

Luckyangel^p1⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Phil Dennis| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 39

40/1

125/1, last of 11 in minor event at this course (7.2f) 60 days ago. Cheekpieces on for 1st time but others arrive with stronger claims.

Form: 595960-

(9)

Miracle Garden^p³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽⁵⁾| T: R Brotherton| OR: 45| CD

20/1

Veteran, 3-time C&D winner. 50/1, possibly needed the run on back of 4 months off when ninth of 12 in a C&D handicap 31 days ago. No forlorn hope if building on that here.

Form: 654849-

(4)

Power Of Lazarus^p¹²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Gina Mangan⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 43

4/1

Long-standing maiden in Ireland who was out of sorts in handicaps at up to 9.5f when last seen during the summer. Worth a look in the betting down in class for yard debut.

Form: 474080-

(7)

Red Allure^v³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: S W Kelly| T: Steph Hollinshead| OR: 49| C

9/2

Course winner who was just edged out at Newcastle (6f) on her penultimate start in November. Respectable seventh of 14 at Southwell (5f) since and she's one to consider.

Form: 958327-

(8)

Top Boy^p⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 9-2| J: Aled Beech⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 45| BF| C| D

9/1

Course winner. Twenty seven runs since last win in 2019. Fourth of 6 in minor event (2/1) at Chelmsford City (6f) 7 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 04420-4

Forecasts

Brazen Arrow (10/3), First Verse (10/3), Power Of Lazarus (4/1), Red Allure (9/2), Top Boy (9/1), Giant Steps (11/1), Deconso (18/1), Miracle Garden (20/1), Luckyangel (40/1)

FIRST VERSE has been holding her form well at this venue in recent months and, stepping back up to 6f, this could be the day she sheds the maiden tag. Red Allure similarly arrives in good form and is next best, ahead of Brazen Arrow. Power of Lazarus demands a precautionary market check having his first start on these shores.