Windsor and Wolverhampton previews: Rotherwick holds rock solid claims
Published:
David Metcalf | July 11, 2016
Rotherwick ready to rock at Windsor
Rotherwick ran a cracker when runner-up last time out and can go one better to land the 1m 2f handicap on this evening’s card at Windsor (21:00).
The Paul Cole trained colt has not since scoring at Newmarket back in November 2014, but has run some solid races in defeat including when a fine fifth of 28 to War Envoy in the class 2 Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last season off a mark of 93.
Rotherwick is now able to race in this lower grade class 4 affair off just 84, and comes into the contest having shown improved in each of his three runs during this campaign.
In the last of those at Newcastle, the four-year-old kept on well to be beaten two lengths by an unexposed sort and it was an effort which suggested his time was near.
Rotherwick also hails from a yard that has saddled three winners from its last six runners and, with Tom Marquand in the saddle, this looks a nice opening for the son of Starspangledbanner to get his head back in front.
Wahaab weighted to strike
Wahaab found the soft ground against him when disappointing last time out but, with underfoot conditions now in his favour, looks worth another chance to cash-in on in a drop in the weights and score a long overdue success in the 6f apprentice handicap (18:00).
The gelding was a smart juvenile when trained by Richard Hannon, winning on debut at Goodwood before finishing seventh of 15 to War Command in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes.
Things haven’t gone to plan since but, having initially been rated 91 the five-year-old, who is now in the care of Richard Hughes, is now able to race off just 60.
That gives him a huge chance on the pick of his form in this class 6 affair and, prior to being well-beaten at Chepstow 13 days ago, Wahaab had looked an unlucky loser when runner-up at Brighton.
The son of Tamayuz got knocked sideways a furlong before going down by a diminishing 1/2 a length to Titus Secret, and it was an effort which suggested Wahaab retained enough ability to win a race of this nature.
Windsor selections
18.00: Wahaab (NB)
18.30: Mucho Applause
19.00: Brasted
19.30: Fabric
20.00: Pacolita
20.30: Sepal
21.00: Rotherwick (NAP)
Doctor value to deliver in Wolverhampton sprint
Doctor Parkes caught the eye last time out, so looks decent value to take advantage of a drop in the weights and land the 6f handicap on this evening’s card at Wolverhampton (19:10).
The Stuart Williams trained gelding won at Kempton in February off a mark of 77 has has since gone on to land a claimer at Lingfield.
Doctor Parkes also ran a cracker four starts back when a 2 3/4 length sixth of 21 in a competitive class 4 affair at Ascot off 78 and is now able to race off 74.
That gives the 10-year-old major claims from a handicapping perspective, and Doctor Parkes comes into the race having been beaten just 1 1/4 lengths into seventh at Kempton when not getting the clearest of runs and being given plenty to do before staying on strongly to be nearest at the finish.
It was an effort which suggested Doctor Parkes’ was coming to the boil and, if building on it, the veteran looks weighted to get back to winning ways.
Brorocco poised to open account
Brorocco ran a stormer when runner-up last time out and can go one better to open his account in the 1m 1f maiden (20:10).
The Andrew Balding trained gelding lost vital ground when dwelling at the start, so was given an enormous amount to do by jockey Oisin Murphy when going down by just 3/4 of a length to Jabbaar in a 1m contest at Beverley.
Brorocco still had about eight lengths to make up entering the final furlong, but finished with a real flourish to be gaining hand over fist at the finish.
It was a terrific effort given how the race panned out and, prior to that, Brorocco had also shaped well when fourth to Threat Assessed in a decent handicap at Sandown.
Those runs represent strong form in the context of this contest and the step up in trip looks sure to suit Brorocco, given how he finished off the race last time out.
Wolverhampton selections
18.10: Pulsating
18.40: Miss Marina Bay
19.10: Doctor Parkes (NAP)
19.40: Yasir
20.10: Brorocco (NB)
20.40: Roman De Brut
21.10: Malakky
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