Racecards
13:50 Wolverhampton
Betfred Banded Stakes (Class 7)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 1m 141y
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Fibresand
- Form 56056-0
- Age 4
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer Mrs H Sweeting
- Jockey G Baker
in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not pace to challenge
Acuzio
20- Form 82456-9
- Age 5
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer W M Brisbourne
- Jockey S W Kelly
in touch, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Icecap
20- Form 50434-8
- Age 6
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 52
- Trainer W G M Turner
- Jockey J Quinn
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
- Form 1940-60
- Age 6
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 52
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, just held
- Form 5620
- Age 4
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer D E Cantillon
- Jockey P Cosgrave
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakend
Don Pasquale
17- Form 000-007
- Age 4
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer J T Stimpson
- Jockey J Edmunds
pushed along towards rear, never dangerous
- Form 313416-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 49
- Trainer G A Swinbank
- Jockey Dean McKeown
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
- Form 092-091
- Age 8
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 49
- Trainer R Dickin
- Jockey Tony Culhane
in rear, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace, never dangerous
- Form 220-013
- Age 7
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 48
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
- Form 0-0008
- Age 4
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 48
- Trainer Mrs C A Dunnett
- Jockey B Reilly
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 35-204U
- Age 6
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer P A Blockley
- Jockey R Fitzpatrick
always prominent, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, just held on
- Form 038-903
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 48
- Trainer P G Murphy
- Jockey A Quinn
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway on outer over 6f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 050729
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 51
- Trainer P T Midgley
- Jockey S Chin
led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
In depth
Verdict
Ballere is in good heart and is fancied to expand on his recent haul; possibly at the main expense of Musical Gift and Merlins Profit. Musical Gift's latest outing can safely be forgotten (hit the stalls and unseated his rider) and he is better judged on his close up second at Southwell in January. He also has some fair form to his name at this track and, assuming he runs to the best of his abilities, he can be shortlisted to make the frame in this company. Merlins Profit has been given a real chance by the handicapper and looks one to keep on the right side in low-grade events like this. A winner off a mark of 57 on his penultimate start, the Allan Swinbank-trained gelding is unexposed on the all weather a move for him in the betting market would have to be considered significant. However, Ballere seems to have been revitalised by his recent spell in Jersey and comes here on the back of a couple of solid performances in this grade. Fergus Sweeney has built up a good working relationship with the seven-year-old and he looks the safest option in a tricky contest like this.
Formwatch
Acuzio 16-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 17, 10l behind Summer Bounty (9-4) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Icecap 25-1 (8-9) Keen, in touch, not clear run over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 17, 10l behind Summer Bounty (9-4) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Magic Warrior 33-1 (8-7) Held up, keen early, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 11l behind Le Soleil (8-13) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Peggys First 9-1 (9-8) Held up, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 11l behind Up Tempo (9-11) at Yarmouth 6f clm (6) gf.
Merlins Profit 11-4jt-fav (8-11) Dwelt, towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 6l behind Redwood Rocks (9-3) at Carlisle 1m hcp (5) frm in Sept.
Wanna Shout 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Mar beating Good Article (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ballare (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Fiore di Bosco (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
Musical Gift 20-1 (7-13) Hit starting gate unseated rider in race won by Latif (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) std, 11 ran.