With Capo Rosso declared a non runner, there is a field of 9 going to post for a competitive Class 3 handicap on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton. The race will be run over an extended 9 furlongs and the favourite is the only last time out winner in the field, Amazement.
James Tate trains Amazement, an improving gelding that is the winner of 2 of his 4 runs on the all weather. Last time out, he settled a Class 4 handicap over course and distance in taking style and it is easy to see him continuing on an upward curve. However, there are doubts as to the strength of that race as the time wasn’t that quick, the race favouring those at the head of affairs. He will need to do more as he races in a higher grade and off a 5lb higher mark so I’d prefer to look elsewhere to take on this 5/2 shot.
Andastra is the dark horse of the race after trotting up in a Nottingham maiden in 2015, recording a RPR of 85 in the process. She then ran ok in a conditions race where she wasn’t favoured at the weights but was expected to run better. This is a competitive race to make your handicap debut and a mark of 87 looks about right but her stable are in good form with Ralph Beckett’s last 3 runners all winning.
I like the chances of the Stuart Williams trained Intrude who seems to love this track. This likeable 5 year old has raced 18 times, 9 on turf and 9 on the all weather. He’s been placed just once on turf so you can easily draw a line through anything he’s achieved there. That is backed up by an 11lb lower mark than on the sand. His all weather form is much better, winning 3 of his 9 starts, 2 of them here. He won a Class 3 here off 4lb lower in 2015 and then followed that with a win in a higher grade off 89 (races off 91 today). His best bit of course form, however, was on the last of 3 runs in last year’s Lincoln Trial Handicap where he finished just under a length behind the now 103-rated Keystroke, off level weights. His form since has dipped but he’s never had his conditions until today.
He moved stables last summer, from David Simcock’s yard, and since coming back from a winter break, he’s raced twice. He was last of 13 at Kempton when in need of the run over an inadequate 7 furlongs but showed much more promise next time when an unlucky 6th of 9 at Lingfield off this mark. He was unable to get a position early doors and raced in mid division off a slow pace but made his challenge off the home turn and looked sure to be involved in the finish before being hampered at a crucial point. There’s no doubt in my mind he would have been placed at odds of 20/1 that day. That was over a mile and this extra distance as well as the return to this track are huge positives. His yard only send the 1 runner up from Newmarket and I think it will be a journey well worth making.
Dutch Uncle is a solid all weather yardstick but I can’t be having a horse pushed up 4lb following a defeat last time out. Of the others, there are 2 course specialists in Coillte Cailin and Perfect Cracker. The former is a 5 time winner here and has a chance but she looks to be in the handicapper’s grip for now whilst the latter has won this for the last 2 years. Now a 9 year old, he might just struggle to repeat the feat for a 3rd time.
Tips
Back Intrude (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 9.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-3 BOG)
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