Wolverhampton Preview: Summer set for First success

First Summer posted a career-best effort last time out and looks to have found a great opportunity to open his account in the 7f nursery at Wolverhampton today (1.25).

The gelding ran well on his final start for trainer Ed McMahon when he finished a close-up third in a seller at Nottingham, but took his form to a new level on first start for Shaun Harris when third of 14 to the progressive Mikandy at Kempton last the month.

The son of Cockney Rebel kept on strongly from off the pace to go down by a diminishing 1 3/4 lengths, and the winner has since gone on to bolt up at this venue and is now rated 71.

That gives the form a strong look the the context of this weak looking class 6 contest and makes First Summer’s current mark of 57 look very exploitable.

There is also every chance that First Summer will improve for the fitting of the cheekpieces for the first time, and with Robert Winston in the saddle he looks the one they all have to beat.

Josie’s Dream is on a handy mark at present and can go well at a big price in the amateur riders’ handicap that opens proceedings (12.55).

The Jo Hughes’ trained six-year-old has just one win to his name, with that success coming in an amateur riders’ affair at Warwick back in June 2013.

This gelding scored easily by 2 1/2 lengths off a mark of 51, and now gets into this off 1lb lower following an eye-catching run at Kempton five days ago.

Josie’s Dream kept on well to finish a 2 1/2 length seventh of 13 to Planetoid on his first outing for 282 days, and is sure to strip much fitter for the outing.

The son of Tau Ceti also gets on well with today’s rider James Hughes and everything points to a big run.
In the 7f nursery (1.55), Eagle Empire could well have got in lightly on handicap debut.

The Richard Hannon trained colt has only had three starts and looked to be getting the hang of things in the last of those when seventh of 14 at Kempton.

Although beaten 10 1/2 lengths, the son of Jeremy was tenderly handled and looks the type who has been brought along steadily with handicaps in mind.

The runner-up in that contest Oregon Gift, who finished six lengths in front of the Eagle Empire, has won since and is now officially rated 75 which makes Eagle Empire’s opening handicap mark of 58 look potentially on the lenient side.

Selections:
12.55: Josie’s Dream (NB)
1.25: First Summer (NAP)
1.55: Eagle Empire
2.30: Bint Dandy
3.00: Tocororo
3.30: Uncle Bernie
4.05: Missandei
4.35: Scatty Cat