Sewn Up is one of four rides for Brian McHugh at Wolverhampton today; hopefully Reg Hollinshead's charge improves on his effort five days ago when beaten just over a length by Iggy in a maiden race over five furlongs of this polytrack venue.
McHugh will have been vexed by that effort because Sewn Up was continually hampered and actually did well to achieve the runner-up spot; an extra furlong should be ideal and Sewn Up is again napped on the strength of his previous effort.
On the time-handicap Sewn Up is clear 'best-in' and the fact he's top-weight indicates how moderate is four rivals are.
A seven-race programme opens with an intriguing Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs; three-year-old Lady Malet, by weight-of-age, is marginally superior to Peak Storm but preference has to be for the latter.
Only three weeks ago Lady Malet was a juvenile and I'm convinced the power of a matured four-year-old gelding will weigh heavily against William Haggas' charge, a consistent but limited Azamour filly which needs to win for breeding purposes.
A plus is the 5lbs apprentice claim of Charles Bishop and, of course, we don't knowe to what extent Mark Johnston-trained always Fabulous will improve from her debut fifteen days ago.
Always Fabulous could be a certainty, difficult to imagine 'Braveheart' stabling any thoroughbred not capable of beating a bunch of 'trees' but I'll take my chance, to small stakes, both 'top-weights', Sewn Up and Peak Storm.
'Specialising' with maidens has proved rewarding, and is enjoyable; after all they represent nothing more than 'process of elimination' which ex-trainer and big punter Barry Hills used for his serious betting all those years ago, and details in his autobiography 'Frankinscence and More!'
It's a good, light-hearted read while snow covers the United Kingdom although I'm sure it's set to change come this weekend.
SELECTIONS
?R8 (1) Peak Storm
R19 (1) Sewn Up (nap)
R21 (6) Youreinthewill (e.w)
