Wolverhampton - Tue 16 Jun 2026
Imola has seemingly forgotten how to run a bad race and had Silky Lass back in third when completing a course double, while Rhythm N Rock also arrives in winning form after rolling back the years at Kempton. They lack the scope for improvement of PENTONVILLE, though, with George Boughey's expensive purchase suggesting his turn was imminent when touched off by an odds-on shot on his handicap bow at Leicester. Fellow three-year-old Quick Quasar has been much improved since a gelding operation prior to going handicapping and is feared most.
BALLISTY confirmed the promise of his debut third in a Goodwood event that has worked out really well when going one better at Newmarket. He had a subsequent winner a length and a half back in third at HQ and is fancied to make his own breakthrough now. Ventura Power has shown ability at Windsor and will appreciate stepping back up to 6f. Newcomer Laylaty is from the extended family of Sheikhzayedroad, but should have more speed as a daughter of Ardad.
With Hadlan's Nottingham seventh probably setting the standard, it will be surprising if this doesn't go to a newcomer. Top of the list is MACAU, who cost 40,000 euros as a yearling and holds entries in the Super Sprint and Two Year Old Trophy. Radahn's price rose from 14,000 euros as a foal to 34,000gns a year later and he is expected to hit the ground running. Comeonfeelthenoise is bred to be quick, and the well-bred Cool King is worth a look too.
GO LOCKERS GO failed in his hat-trick bid at Nottingham, but has been given a little break since and is well worth another chance stepping back up to 6f and returning to the all-weather. He won over the trip at Chelmsford in March and should still be improving. King Of Chaos showed a bit more at Brighton and isn't without a squeak, likewise Enter Sandman.
KEEP IT CLASSIC was hugely disappointing when letting favourite-backers down at Lingfield but there is some ability there and if he can come back to his Haydock form when a close second, he must have a cracking chance in a race like this. Mick The Hat posted a career-best effort when third at Ffos Las on his handicap debut and joins Risk Averse Rebel on the shortlist.
ROCKAFELLER SKANK should take some stopping following back-to-back Yarmouth victories in this grade. He toyed with his rivals when winning on the bridle last Thursday and that was his first attempt over 1m2f, having won the previous day over 1m. Richard Spencer's charge ought to go very close to completing the hat-trick assuming he'll transfer his good form to the all-weather. Arlecchino's Rex and Sorted cannot be taken lightly, but this is all about Rockafeller Skank.
SPACEMAN and Argy Bhaji were both beaten favourites on their latest outings but unless Project Wallace takes a big step forward from his Newcastle fourth on debut, it's likely that one of them will repay those punters who keep the faith. The Richard & Peter Fahey inmate just edges it as he's not as exposed as Argy Bhaji and seemed to improve for dropping to the minimum distance at Newcastle.
STUDY UP might be the way to go in the finale, but it's only a tentative vote given the really competitive nature of the race. A winner at Leicester two starts ago, he was narrowly denied by Beachborough Girl over C&D last time and is weighted to reverse that form now 1lb better off for a short head. Asian Journey is another to watch out for.
Although taking on some unexposed 3yos this time, in-form 5yo mare IMOLA is taken to complete a hat-trick. She scored with something in hand over C&D last time and her new mark still looks competitve. Pentonville, down in trip on this return to AW, needs considering also with the possibility of more to come, while Quick Quasar scored with a bit in hand last time but did get the run of the race. His new mark asks more.
Laylaty is a newcomer of some interest but she might needs further according to her breeding. Let's go with BALLISTY, who has run to a fair level in both starts at Group 1 tracks and looks set to find things easier here. South West was well beaten on debut but hails from a good yard and can surely do better. Stall 10 is higher than ideal, though.
A weak 2yo race and it looks worth taking a chance on PATRONISE, who although only tenth of 12 on his Windsor debut, represents top connections and will surely come on a ton for the run. He's drawn down on the inside too, which could benefit him. Cool King, a won of Kingman, makes some appeal on profile and is the suggested alternative, though Radahn and Macau, from a top 2yo yard, need a market check at the very least.
Tie Fighter was consistent in novice and maiden events but flopped on his handicap debut. He could bounce back tried in blinkers now but a safer option is GO LOCKERS GO, who although failing in his hat-trick bid at Nottingham last time, still ran well in defeat and looks competitively weighted back on the AW. He can prove too strong. Enter Sandman wasn't at his best last time but had earlier been in good form and he comes in as third choice with a bounce back possible.
MICK THE HAT ran a really encouraging race on his handicap debut at Ffos Las, just being run out of second late, and he should take this granted normal progress. Risk Averse Rebel ran well over C&D last time and looks the danger, albeit he's not open to the improvement the selection is. Ada Rose is respected on the form of her penultimate outing, but a bounce back is needed.
Arlecchino's Rex was in form until latest and could bounce back, but ROCKAFELLER SKANK has improved out of all recognition of late, winning twice in 24 hours, and the ease with which he scored last time suggests he'll be completing a hat-trick here. Sorted is consistent and again has place claims but is likely up against it trying to take down the selection.
Spaceman has shown plenty in two starts and should come on for his reappearance when beaten at odds of 8-11, but ARGY BHAJI has performed conistently throughout his career and promises to be well served by this first crack at 5f - he shows plenty of pace. Project Wallace is third choice after he showed plenty on his Newcastle debut looking a speedy sort.
This can go to ASIAN JOURNEY, who is coming off a breakthrough successs over an extended 1m at the course last time and still looks on a nice mark potentially. He surely has more to offer. Study Up is in form himself, winning at Leicester then finishing runner-up over C&D last time. He rates the danger although Beachborough Girl is consistent on the AW and seems likely to be thereabouts once more.
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