Talented sort looks the worthy favourite according to top tipster Tom Collins

2.45 Wolverhampton
Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Lady Wulfruna Stakes (Listed) | 7f | 4yo+ | ITV/Sky

Fourth home in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, Urban Icon sets a high standard in this Listed contest, which should provide plenty of pointers for the upcoming Flat turf season.

Rated 108, the Richard Hannon-trained Urban Icon went unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile in 2018 before being tried in five good contests on the turf last year, including when eighth in the 2,000 Guineas behind Magna Grecia.

The son of Cityscape was awarded a Racing Post Rating of between 106 and 109 on each of his five starts as a three-year-old, proving just how consistent he is, and he is likely to have taken another leap forward over the winter.

A guide to betting on the all-weather at Wolverhampton

Granted, he gives away race fitness to a number of his older rivals, but he has gone well fresh both seasons (form figures 13) and is likely to be plenty fit enough to do himself justice as connections seek early black type.

The booking of Ryan Moore is an obvious plus, while stall one gives him the perfect starting point to stalk his rivals. He is open to the most improvement in the field and looks the right price at around 11-4.

Mark Johnston's Marie's Diamond is another four-year-old in the race and is also worthy of consideration given the strength of his juvenile form.

However, he isn't anywhere near as unexposed with 19 starts to his name and finished behind Urban Icon in the Surrey Stakes and Jersey last year, so a form reversal looks unlikely. His sole start on the all-weather wasn't great, either.

Johnston's Cardsharp (rated 109) is also of interest and was third in this race last year. However, that looked an easier edition, he didn't have any excuses and he might struggle to get into the frame this time around.

The trip has to be a concern for David O'Meara's top-rated Gulliver, who was bang there in a number of big-field handicaps on the turf last campaign and has now found himself in a Listed race.

He appears to be better over six furlongs, though, and his run in the Dukhan Sprint at Doha two weeks ago is hardly the perfect prep, albeit he'll be fit.

Documenting, who appeals more than most, is the one worth noting at a bigger price for trainer Kevin Frost. A strong traveller who relishes a good pace, Documenting never had a clear run in this race last year and could go well should he get a position from stall nine.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What the stats say

Five of the last six winners of this race have been drawn in stalls one to six. An inside position looks a huge advantage.

What they say

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Blown By Wind, Cardsharp and Marie's Diamond
Cardsharp on the figures is theoretically the best horse and was third in this last year. A reproduction of that should see him there or thereabouts. This has been the target for Marie's Diamond for a while. His best form towards the end of last summer was over a mile but I think he's equally adaptable over seven. He was lame after his last start when pulled up but has had plenty of time to get over those issues and is fit and well and in good form. Blown By Wind has the most to find and will need a career-best, but seven furlongs is his optimum, he has been working well and is not without a chance.

Kevin Frost, trainer of Documenting
I thought he had a great chance in the Wulfruna last year and unfortunately he got stopped at a crucial stage. Would he have won? Who knows, but he would have definitely finished closer. It is not ideal being drawn nine of ten, although horses like him who race regularly on the all-weather are pretty sharp out of the gates.

David Loughnane, trainer of Ghaith
Things went wrong at the start last time. It’s a big step up in grade, but he’s good enough to be competitive.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Urban Icon
He's a class horse and hopefully he can show that if he goes on the surface. I appreciate he's taking on horses that are race-fit and hard all-weather horses. It's a run to bring him back and hopefully he'll run very well.
Reporting by David Baxter

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