3.10 Wolverhampton: the one race you cannot afford to miss on Friday

3.10 Wolverhampton
Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Fillies' Conditions Stakes (AW Championships Fast-Track Qualifier) | 7f | 4yo+ | SKY

Why is it interesting?

A place on Good Friday's finals day card is on offer to the five fillies and mares competing and connections of the winner will hope they can go on to claim a share of the riches at Lingfield in April.

Island Of Life, last year's winner of this qualifier, went on to finish second in the fillies' and mares' race on Good Friday, and the betting suggests Invitational could be the one to beat.

The Roger Varian-trained filly was successful last time out in a Listed race at Fontainebleau and before that was runner-up at the same level in the Boadicea Stakes at Newmarket.

Invitational is the only course-and-distance winner in the field but faces opponents who are effective on the all-weather, including Lucymai, whose seven wins have all been on a synthetic surface.

Jack Mitchell: in a rich vein of form and partners the favourite Invitational

What do the stats say?

Rock On Baileys is two from two at Wolverhampton, but those wins came over five and six furlongs and she tackles seven furlongs on Friday.

Jack Mitchell will hope the new year continues in the same manner as 2019 finished. The jockey rode eight winners from 40 rides at a 20 per cent strike-rate in December. He partners Invitational.

Fillies and mares who have already qualified for Finals Day

Scentasia – John Gosden
Surrounding – Mick Halford

What do the trainers say?

Roger Varian, trainer of Invitational
Invitational produced a career-best last time when she won her Listed race in France and she has already shown very useful form over course and distance when winning her novice under a penalty. Should she win – and on ratings she'd have an excellent chance – Finals Day would come under consideration.

Phil McEntee, trainer of Emily Goldfinch
She was disappointing last time at Southwell and I wasn't overly pleased with her performances at Lingfield either. She did run well on her first run back from a break at Wolverhampton and needs to rekindle that form. A small field suits her and she likes to get an easy lead.

Amy Murphy, trainer of Rock On Baileys
She's in great form and it looks a similar type of race to her last run. It looks a good opportunity and if she was able to win she'd go to Finals Day.

Tony Carroll, trainer of Second Collection
I think she will probably get the trip. She's got form on the track and she's very well. She's a nice filly and improved all last year. I think she could improve again.

What do our tipsters say?

This is another suitable scenario for Rock On Baileys, whose recent Lingfield success confirmed that she’s best in small fields. Invitational looks open to further progress this winter and is feared most. Lucymai wasn’t far behind the selection last time but she’s not weighted to reverse the placings and has never won on Tapeta.
Spotlight: Steve Boow

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