Thursday Racing

Three winners on the card here from Stuart Eaton, as Italian Romance, Arch of Titus and Homes by Woodford all won their races.

Wolverhampton

2.10 – A tricky claimer for amateur riders in which few of the horses have recent winning form and many are not totally suited to the distance. There are probably three horses to concentrate on. Conrad has been running respectably of late without really setting the world on fire, the step up to 1m seemed to suit him and he ran his best speed figures for a while. For this reason he is respected and could go well. Another with a decent run last time out is the 10yo chestnut gelding Hand Chime. His recent 2nd by a short head at Lingfield was decent form but the trip here is not guaranteed to suit, could go close. The likely winner is Everest who loves this distance, has raced competitively at a level above this and is proven on the surface with a good 2nd in February 2006. The only downside is that he has been off the track since August so fitness cannot be taken as a given.

2.40 – Lots of these are very closely rated, therefore have chances. It is difficult to separate a good number of horses in this race. Samuel Charles ran well with a win last time out, he is now however plenty high enough in the weights. Our Kes has put up good performances recently and could go well again today. He may find this trip a little sharp though. Musicmaestroplease runs consistently high figures and has run well at course and distance previously. This could be a good chance for Italian Romance to follow up his facile victory at course and distance last time out.

3.10 – Just four runners in this race with three runners for the same trainer, the ex-footballer Mick Quinn. Above and Below is miles clear on figures and should ordinarily take a race of this grade. A major worry is the trip as she has run exclusively at 1m so there are no guarantees but it would also be no surprise to see her win. Savannah Forest will definitely like the trip and is probably just about preferred. Not a race to get too involved with.

3.40 – Lots of horses with recent winning form, therefore a very open race. Cherrie Fosfate, Grand Lucre and Arch of Titus could all run well. The two I like are crossing swords again after running 1st and 2nd a week ago. Nans Joy is bang in form and could well turn the tables today but I think she would appreciate a slightly longer trip. Convivial Spirit really enjoyed the step up to 7f last time out and he is taken to score again.

4.10 – Any market support for the Mark Johnston trained Penicuic should be noted and respected, but this could be a good chance for Dolce Dovo to get her maiden win after four 2nd places. Another for consideration is the fully exposed 6yo Campbells Lad who is running into form.

4.40 – A tricky little encounter to round off the day’s action. More than half the field have placed form in their last three runs, but only one has run figures that are par for this class of race. It would be no surprise then to see a winner come from nowhere to take this. Dr McFab and Newsoftheday both have decent form coming into this, but the slight nod goes to Homes By Woodford who ran well last time out.

Stuart Eaton is the author of forthcoming book “Class Figures” published by Raceform. Stuart’s website can be found at www.classfigures.com