In-form Lottie Marie primed for bid to double her prize-money

7.10 Wolverhampton
Ladbrokes Watch Racing Online For Free EBF Fillies' Handicap | 1m½f | 4yo+ f&m | Sky

Class 2 handicaps with a top weight running off a mark in the mid-80s are rare, but not totally unique. The Ayr Bronze Cup sees to that. This fillies' event is no consolation race, but has failed to attract a horse less than 20lb from the ceiling of its ratings band.

It is best to effectively treat this race as a gender-restricted 0-85. Apart from anything else, it makes it easier to square the potential of warm-order favourite Lottie Marie, who six weeks ago won at 0-70 level.

Lottie Marie also ran on Saturday, finishing second at Kempton. Turning her out again makes sense given the big prize on offer would more than double her career earnings against a small and substandard field.

Tactics need to be considered. Lottie Marie led in a small field at Kempton and the only other likely pace angle is Red Poppy, who wears first-time cheekpieces. They are drawn in the two widest stalls, however, which even in a six-runner race can be problematic over the 1m½f distance at Wolverhampton, which starts close to the bend.

Unusually for an open-age all-weather handicap there is only one course winner in the field. Toronado Queen won twice in little over a week in September, over course and distance the second time. Consistency has held her back since and she has been looking exposed. It ought to be noted, though, that this has included placed efforts in other Class 2 fillies' events, both behind the highly progressive Moonlight In Paris in races which were somewhat more typical of the grade that this contest.
Analysis by betting editor Keith Melrose

What they say

Richard Spencer, trainer of Stay Classy
The race has cut up a bit for a £23,000 contest so it makes sense to have a crack. She ran well when fourth in a conditions event at this track last time and has been in good form since.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Red Poppy and Nawafeth
We got the tactics wrong with Red Poppy last time when we were too busy trying to beat a John Gosden hotpot by making the running. We’ll drop her in this time. Nawafeth’s home work has been very good but her form on the racecourse not so much. Stevie Donohoe thought her breathing was not quite right last time so we’re fitting her with a crossed noseband which she used to wear in Ireland. Hayley Turner has ridden her a few times at home and both fillies can go very close on what we’ve seen at home.

Joe Tuite, trainer of Lottie Marie
She ran a decent race when second at Kempton on Saturday and has come out of that in good shape and we thought we’d go again as the prize-money is so good. Rhys Clutterbuck is a tidy kid for a 7lb claimer and rode a winner at Lingfield on Saturday. We’ll give her a break after this.
Reporting by David Milnes

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