4.55 Wolverhampton: Class 6 Handicap, 6f

I find it really exciting to see Rose Bandit stepping up to 6 furlongs before a 2lb hike in her mark kicks in. From a good #5 draw, she looks cherry ripe to win a race.

She caught the eye about four weeks ago here at Newcastle over the minimum trip, then off 4lb higher than she’s on Friday.

She tracked the pace that day, came off the bridle over 2 furlongs from home as she tried to keep up with the leaders, which was ultimately too hot for too long for her, yet she wasn’t beaten all that far in the end and ran much better than the 7th place finish suggested.

She quite well the next two times as well; once more at Newcastle, and especially when last seen at Southwell; on both occasions over 5 furlongs. Clearly the mare is in excellent form but needs the additional furlong on the All-Weather to be seen to best effect.

She remains somewhat unexposed on the All-Weather – yet to win in five runs, but the majority of her performances can be upgraded. The last time she ran over 6 furlongs on the All-Weather was in May at Newcastle when she finished strongly, but not getting the best of runs, off a 63 mark.

She also was badly hampered and unlucky three starts back at Hamilton on turf, building a really strong case for this mare as she has kept her good form over the last weeks.

Because of her recent runner-up performance at Southwell she will go up to 56, but can race still off 54 here, 9lb lower than her last (turf) winning mark. She also ran 7x to equal or higher speed ratings in her career.

This is an Apprentice race. She has a highly inexperienced jockey on board. Although Poppy Wilson has been riding rather well, in the limited rides she got so far.

She claims 7lb. That’s a fair compensation because Rose Bandit looks a pretty easy ride. Just bounce her out, stay close to the pace and don’t fall off.

10pts win – Rose Bandit @ 7/1