2:45 Wolverhampton Novice Stakes (23rd July)

14:45 Wolverhampton 23 Jul 2019 

Ten go to post in the Holiday Inn Novice Stakes race over 5f 21y 

Trackers highlighted. 

1: Call Me Cheers is one of two runners for David Evans. An 8,000 euro purchase by David Evans in October 2018. Not a bad debut over course and distance in May when backed in from 14/1 to 10/1 and finished fourth after a slow start. Next run he showed speed until halfway, ridden and weakened final furlong. Been gelded since. 

2: Dorchester Dom: This bloody horse gives me nightmares. I backed this David Evans runner last time out when I was convinced he would at least place but was far too keen and weakened quickly. A nice debut in the Brocklesby Stakes in March when beaten just under 4-lengths by Show Me Show Me who ran a great race in the Super Sprint Stakes at the weekend. Sure he is better than his latest run but needs to settle better to be involved here. 

3: Flowing Magic is a 45,000 gns purchase for George Scott. After a fair debut at Yarmouth he took a step backwards last time out at Newcastle. Needs to bounce back after that disappointing effort. 

4: Hot Heels from the Tom Dascombe yard. This Hot Streak colt was a 27,000 euro purchase last September and makes his debut. Needs to be seriously backed to stand a chance against experienced rivals. 

5: Last Date needs a miracle. 

6: X Force runs for the Archie Watson yard. This BungleInTheJungle colt isn’t one of Archies best horses but has run two fair efforts to date. A promising debut against Raahy was followed by a disappointing effort next timeout when beaten by 33/1 shot Glamorous Anna. Archie Watson does have a few 2-year-old winners here so it would be no surprise to see him win. 

7: Airbrush (NR) 

8: Dana Forever looks to be Tom Dascombes main hope here. Yes, and another I backed the first timeout. Dana Forever was entered for the Hilary Needler Trophy Fillies Condition Stakes at Beverley in June but didn’t run. I did expect more to be honest but you just never know what will happen with debutantes. Dana Forever was up with the pace until weakening a furlong out. The betting will prove the best clue to her chances. 

9: Elpheba runs for trainer David Loughnane here. The £25,000 purchase has already run twice and her latest run was an improvement when finishing third to the runaway winner Dr Simpson at Chester. One interesting little fact is the owner David Lowe (part share) also has a horse called Fizzy Feet that won at Wolverhampton as a 2-year-old for the same trainer. 

10: La Chica Lobo another hoping for a miracle. 

11: Northern Grace: Ran in the Class 2 Condition Fillies Stakes race at Newcastle back in May. The Class 2 entry is the only positive for this Brian Ellison filly. The long lay off indicates some kind of problem, will be interesting to see how she runs here. 

Conclusion: Tough race to find a strong bet. Dorchester Dom looks to have the ability but his temperament looks a bit dodgy to me. The Qatar Racing owned X Force has a decent chance to get a win here. Dana Forever was well-supported on debut but disappointed and could be seen in a better light with that run under her belt. Elpheba is interesting with the trainer and owner statistic. 

I will wait till the betting settles before I decide to bet or not. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.