Dual course and distance winner Cockney Dancer is expected to take another step forward in the 'aged' handicap over seven furlongs of Wolverhampton tonight, twelfth of fifteen races scheduled for the Dunstall Park polytrack today.
The 'first part' is a transferred Southwell fixture; both courses are owned by Arena.
Southwell racecourse is in a right state, completely waterlogged (again!) last week and now, apparently, it faces a bleak future being nigh on un-insurable to all intents and purposes.
Apart from the galloping left-handed track all buildings have been badly affected; it's totally impossible to forecast what will happen to this Nottinghamshire complex and any speculation will just be a waste of words. I'll let you know what's going on.
Conversely Wolves has been a major success; obviously one of two blips over a period of twenty-three years but like Lingfield it has definitely stood the test of time; wonder how many will witness alll fifteen races at this particular meeting!
Robert Winston has ridden Cockney Dancer twice, winning both times and, significantly, is booked again for this progressive, in-form Cockney Rebel mare.
No 'cert' by any means but the time-handicap indicates a gilt-edged opportunity and if all eight run Cockney Dancer represents solid each-way business.
Over course and distance half an hour earlier consistent, hitherto luckless Peak Storm will be a warm order for the Maiden Stakes but, there's a TH danger, Testa Rossa.
This once-raced John Hills-trained Oratorio colt shaped well when sixth in a strongly-run race won by Absolutely Right three weeks ago.
Testa Rossa was slowly into stride but improved his position in the closing stages under experienced ex-champion jockey, Seb Sanders, whose riding this past few weeks has been top-notch.
Seb was set back by a broken leg a couple of years back but seems to have regained his confidence; there are are few better, or indeed more reliable.
SELECTIONS
R4 (1) Buffalo Ballet
R32 (8) Testa Rossa
R34 (6) Cockney Dancer
