Racecards
16:55 Wolverhampton
Win 2m at Footballpools.com Handicap (Div 2) (Class 6)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 1m 141y
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Fibresand
- Form 22279/2
- Age 5
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer J A Osborne
- Jockey R Winston
held up, ridden, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, just held
- Form 216268-
- Age 7
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer W M Brisbourne
- Jockey P Mathers
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 5/7100-7
- Age 4
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer I W McInnes
- Jockey T Eaves
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
- Form 33647-4
- Age 4
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 60
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace, no impression
- Form 20319-8
- Age 6
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer C A Horgan
- Jockey S J Drowne
slowly away, towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, kept on same pace
Swell Lad
21- Form 290/400-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 59
- Trainer S Gollings
- Jockey Tony Culhane
chased leader, challenged over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 02010-6
- Age 5
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer R J Price
- Jockey Darren Williams
mid-division, ridden to lead over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 671500-
- Age 4
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 56
- Trainer D Thompson
- Jockey D Tudhope
in touch, weakened over 2f out
- Form 00749-7
- Age 6
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer S R Bowring
- Jockey A Quinn
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 580/0
- Age 4
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer Sir Mark Prescott
- Jockey J Mackay
behind, ridden, headway over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, all out
Verdict
Kirkstone was fancied last time out and can get losses back at the expense of Wrenlane, Blue Quiver, Rowan Warning and Danzolin. Kirkstone disappeared off the radar after his sixth career outing for Mark Johnston at Ascot in September 2003 and did not resurface until just 16 days ago at Lingfield, now in the care of Jamie Osborne. Whatever his past problems, the son of Alzao was sent off favourite and it was only lack of peak fitness that stopped him catching Port 'n' Starboard. With that run under his belt he will surely take some stopping to day and is taken to make up for lost time. Wrenlane has slipped back to a favourable mark and showed signs of a return to form at Southwell last time. He will make his presence felt, while Blue Quiver gained a rare victory here in December and might just pop up with a bold show. Rowan Warning is still a maiden but has shaped fairly well on both starts here to date, and Danzolin would be considered for a place if not for a near four-month absence. All in all, Kirkstone is the one to latch onto on the back of that promising comeback.
Formwatch
Kirkstone (IRE) 13-8fav (9-2) Led for 2f, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Port 'n Starboard (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol.
Buscador (USA) 6-1 (7-13) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 6l behind Western Roots (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Rowan Warning 22-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Kindlelight Debut (8-12) at W'hampton 7f app hcp (6) pol.
Blue Quiver (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Behind, stayed on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 6l behind Cup of Love (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Wrenlane 25-1 (9-1) In touch, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Blue Empire (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Barons Spy (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Cup of Love (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Danzolin 12-1 (8-9) Held up, headway 3f out, led 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Merrymadcap (8-13) at Bath 1m app mdn hcp 0-80 (6) frm in Sept.
Best Game 14-1 (8-1) With leaders, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 19, 8l behind Out of India (8-8) at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Oct.