soon outpaced
soon chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
with leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right and headed well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
soon outpaced
mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, not reach winner
with leaders to halfway, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
soon chasing leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-divsion, ridden and hung right over 2f out, soon weakened
A typically difficult Wolverhampton handicap and a narrow vote is given to Hoh Wotanite, with Xpress Maite and Miss Lopez put forward as the main rivals. Andrew Balding is not exactly firing on all cylinders but Hoh Wotanite has shown enough in three outings this season to suggest he can land a race of this nature. He was just touched off by Finsbury at Kempton recently and a repeat of that effort could be good enough this afternoon. Xpress Maite has shown promise in three maidens this season, without being given a hard time. as a consequence he makes his handicap debut on a decent mark and it would be no surpise to see this one in the shake up. Miss Lopez is from a yard in hot form and having disappointed on the turf last time she could return to form back on the all-weather. Artie's Son is steadily improving and could prove best of the others, but our idea of the winner is Hohwotanite.
Fikri 6-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Dark Champion (9-7) at Redcar 5f mdn hcp (5) frm in Jun.
Butterfly Bud (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Dwelt, towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Our Sheila (9-7) at Catterick 6f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, led 2f out, clear when edged right inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jun beating Artie's Son (8-6) by 4l, 11 ran.
Shunkawakhan (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Dark Champion (9-7) at Redcar 5f mdn hcp (5) frm in Jun.
Hoh Wotanite 33-1 (8-2) Soon chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon not quicken, driven over 1f out, strong run final 100 yards, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind Finsbury (8-12) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Artie's Son (IRE) 7-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Steel City Boy (8-6) at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jun.
Crusader's Gold (FR) 10-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, outpaced, ran on final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Steel City Boy (8-6) at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jun.
Mystic Queen (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Chased leader, led over 3f out, until over 1f out, 4th of 9, 5l behind George The Second (8-6) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jun.
