led 1f, with leader to 6f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 6f out, ridden and one pace final 3f
started very slowly, soon in touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up, headway over 4f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, ran on
held up, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
in touch, chased leader over 5f out to over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
keen in touch, lost place after 6f, tailed off final 6f
Nonrunner
A two-mile amateur event to start a very good card at Wolverhampton, and one in which we'll give the vote to Joely Green, with Bustling Rio and Adalpour others to consider. The selection goes well form Emma Littmoden and, while he has never won over this far, is a 12-furlong course winner from a higher mark than today so warrants respect. Bustling Rio is a multiple winner and has won over today's course and distance from a mark of 66, although that did come back in January 2001. He's now rated 63 and still has sufficient powder in his musket to run a decent race. Adalpour has been raised just two pounds for winning here over 12 furlongs last time, his first run for a new stable. The trip should present him no problems and he should go well. Of the others, Marmaduke, a course winner, has had his problems, and the in-form Nigel Twiston-Davies' Daily Tonic has an even longer absence to overcome. Phantom Stock was disappointing last time when attempting to follow up a course and distance win on New Year's Eve, a race in which he finished ahead of Vincent. Christmas Truce has a good chance based on his 2002 Turf form but has yet to prove he stays this far. All in all, then, the vote in the opener goes to Joely Green.
