Crafty Roberto is napped (again!) for the Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs at Wolverhampton today. This is a drop in trip!Nine days ago, Crafty Roberto looked certain to prevail over a mile of Lingfield polytrack, only to 'flatten' in the closing stages as newcomer Ruby Brook stormed home. There was no hard-luck story and the winner would have been unlucky, having been hampered down the straight.
This is much easier. None has any chance with twice-raced, Crafty Roberto on my time-handicap, if he reproduces anything like either effort and it's an outstanding opportunity to make it third time lucky. I'll bet he does.Also dropped in trip is Downhill Skier, one of thirteen 'decs' for the opening Amateur Riders' Handicap over six furlongs. What beats this much-campaigned seven-year-old will win.
Although frowned upon by the 'professional' fraternity, these races often provide good value. My play method is process of elimination and it wasn't difficult to strike out ten, within a minute or so.Downhill Skier is therefore a good each-way bet, worth playing into recent course and distance winner, Metropolitan Man, in division two.
No 'cert' by any means. Both Lily Wood and Memphis Man cone out similarly but again, it'll be disappointing, not to mention costly, if Downhill Skier doesn't make the frame. Finally, six go to post for the Fillies' Handicap over 12 furlongs. Top-weight Aphrodisia is best-in and advantaged by 5lbs apprentice allowance of talented Ryan Clark. Get on!
SELECTIONS
RACE 5 (#5)
DOWNHILL SKIER (e.w.)
RACE 9 (#7) METROPOLITAN CHIEF (e.w.)
RACE 27 (#1)
CRAFTY ROBERTO (nap)
RACE 28 (#1) APHRODISIA
