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14:20 Wolverhampton

Celebrate Your Birthday At Wolverhampton Racecourse Claiming Stakes (Class 6)

  • 8 Runners
  • Distance: 1m 1f 103y
  • Going: Standard
  • Surface: Polytrack
  • £3,000 added
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 2m 2.33s
  • Off Time: 14:20:43
  • 8 Ran
1(4)
Silk - Beige, Black armlets
9/4
  • Form 33880-2
  • Age 6
  • Weight 9-7
  • Official Rating 66

tracked leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd 2f out, challenging when slightly intimidated by rival jockeys whip well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, edged left, ridden clear

2(3)
Silk - Yellow, Light Green epaulets, Yellow sleeves, Light Green spots
8/1
  • Form 14-8655
  • Age 5
  • Weight 9-3
  • Official Rating 66

always prominent, ridden well over 1f out, one pace

3(6)
Silk - Red, White sash, armlets and spots on cap
25/1
  • Age 6
  • Weight 8-12

dwelt, always in rear, no chance final 3f

4(7)
Silk - Purple, Orange and White striped sleeves, Orange cap
9/4
  • Form 205473
  • Age 10
  • Weight 8-9
  • Official Rating 58

led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened inside final furlong

5(1)
Silk - Black, Pink cross belts, armlets and star on cap
11/1
  • Form 96-6527
  • Age 8
  • Weight 8-9
  • Official Rating 49

held up, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous

6(8)
Silk - Dark Blue, Pink disc and sleeves
9/1
  • Form 046024
  • Age 4
  • Weight 8-9
  • Official Rating 60

chased leader, led 3f out, ridden and edged right well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace

7(2)
Silk - Light green, brown braces and armlets, white cap
6/1
  • Form 5106-96
  • Age 8
  • Weight 8-7
  • Official Rating 65

held up, raced keenly, ridden 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, just failed to get 2nd

8(5)
Silk - Royal Blue and Emerald Green diabolo, Red sleeves and cap

Tapas Lad (IRE)

41 v CD
16/1
  • Form 726-897
  • Age 4
  • Weight 8-7
  • Official Rating 48

held up, pushed along 4f out, struggling final 3f

In depth

Verdict

A closely-matched claimer in which we will side with FORT CHURCHILL ahead of Yes One and Watchmaker. Bryan Ellison's gelding is well-treated at the weights today but he will need to show more zest than in recent races this year. Two outings, most recently at Musselburgh have not been full of promise, but he is a six-time-winner and if the market speaks in his favour then he may be able to return to winning ways. Watchmaker ran well in defeat 88 days ago at this track and his record on the all-weather is pretty smart. He might have a hard task at these weights but it would be unwise to rule him out. Golden Run was last seen over the jumps nearly a year ago and the market may help guide to his chance, but a bigger threat may be Buscador. He has a bit to find on the ratings but all of his 12 wins have come at this track and no horse knows this track better. Yes One is another course winner and Kevin Ryan's charge needs respect, along with Ten Pole Tudor who is better than he showed at Brighton last time having not handled the track. Fort Churchill is fancied to bounce back to form with a win.

Formwatch

Watchmaker 25-1 (9-5) In touch, led over 2f out, driven and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, hd behind Formidable Guest (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Jan.

Yes One (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Led 2f, tracked leader afterwards, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 7l behind Jake The Snake (8-11) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol.

Golden Run 5-1 (10-5) Led, jumped slow 1st and 2nd, ducked left and headed 3 out, ridden to lead again after last, driven out, won at Cartmel 2m 1f mrs nov sll hdl (5) gf in May beating Blushing Hilary (11-3) by 3/4l, 8 ran.

Buscador (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Led, pushed along over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken, and lost second towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Star Choice (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.

Hatch A Plan (IRE) 5-2fav (8-10) Raced keenly, prominent, ridden 2f out, no impression on leaders and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 7l behind Lady Asheena (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f app hcp (0-50) (6) pol in Feb.

Ten Pole Tudor 5-1 (8-5) Held up in 5th, never a factor, 4th of 6, 29l behind Western Roots (8-5) at Brighton 1m 2f clm stks (6) gd.

Fort Churchill (IRE) 11-4fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, weakened final frulong, 6th of 7, 12l behind Raucous (8-13) at Musselburgh 1m 4f 4yo sell stks (6) gf.

Tapas Lad (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Keen, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 15l behind Amber Moon (8-4) at Southwell 1m clm stks 0-55 (6) fbs in Mar.