chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, just held on
slowly into stride, held up behind, smooth headway over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, kept on well, not reach winner
behind, ridden, headway on outer over 1f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden, headway 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed final furlong, soon weakened
tracked leaders, keen, ridden well over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, one pace
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
prominent, ridden, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened 2f out
Lincolneurocruiser is fractionally preferred over Up Tempo and Distant Country, as he has a touch more of a convincing profile over this trip. Mystic Man and Glad Big are others to bear in mind if they are supported. Glad Big has scope to improve at seven furlongs and, as this is only his third visit to Wolverhampton, it will not be surprising to see him raise his game. He has a favourable low draw and can go well for each-way punters. Mystic Man is consistent enough to merit a second look and seems to have lost none of his enthusiasm for racing. However, his record in handicaps tells its own story and he may well find a few are better treated at present. Similar comments apply to Distant Country, who is capable but, as his going days are hard to predict, he is for the brave only. This is a good bit tougher than the seller he won last time and he now has more on his plate. It was also a modest contest that Up Tempo won when he was last seen out and, despite being on the top of his game, he also has more to do over this extra furlong. Therefore, it may be worth chancing a small investment with Lincolneurocruiser, who has proved himself to be very capable over this course & distance and, with his rider's 3lb claim giving him an extra boost, the son of Spectrum has plenty in his favour to give us a good run for the money this afternoon.
Mystic Man (FR) 10-1 (9-4) Held up, headway 3f out, not clear run briefly over 1f out, soon ridden, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken close home, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Local Poet (9-4) at W'hampton 7f handicap (5) pol.
Glad Big (GER) 11-4fav (9-2) Held up, headway over 5f out, not clear run from over 1f out, not recover, 6th of 12, 5l behind Nice Tune (9-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Lincolneurocruiser 13-2 (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Byron Bay (9-0) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Blue Knight (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression after, 6th of 12, 5l behind Bessemer (9-0) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Up Tempo (IRE) 9-4 (9-13) Chased leaders, ridden on inner over 2f out, led well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 6f clm (5) pol in Feb beating Byo (9-12) by a nk, 10 ran.
Kew The Music 11-1 (8-8) In rear, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 11, 4l behind Habshan (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Hand Chime 7-1 (8-6) In touch, chased leaders 2f out, every chance 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Cool Sands (8-11) at Lingfield 7f handicap (5) pol.
Distant Country (USA) 11-2 (9-7) In touch, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, edged left and ran on to lead close home, won at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol beating Roman Empire (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
