Angel Bleu Lines Up For Spreadex Sports Lady Wulfruna Stakes

Angel Bleu headlines a strong cast for the Listed Spreadex Sports Lady Wulfruna Stakes (2.40pm), the centrepiece of a valuable eight-race programme at Wolverhampton on Saturday, March 11.

The seven-furlong contest is the first of two Fast-Track Qualifiers on the card and provides the winner with a guaranteed start in the £150,000 All-Weather Mile Championships on Finals Day.

A dual G1 winner in France as a juvenile, Angel Bleu makes his first appearance for Ralph Beckett since finishing fifth behind Baaeed in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in July.

Fellow G1 performer Berkshire Shadow bids to rediscover his best form following a gelding operation. Andrew Balding’s runner landed the G2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2021 and was a creditable fifth in last year’s G1 2000 Guineas.

Dhabab is another contender with G1 form in the book, having finished fifth in the 2021 Dewhurst Stakes. The son of No Nay Never has only seen competitive action twice subsequently for John & Thady Gosden, including a handicap victory at Lingfield Park in October.

Prolific all-weather performer Harry’s Bar heads two runners for Irish trainer Ado McGuinness. All 14 of the eight-year-old’s victories have come on the all-weather, the latest in a Dundalk conditions race last month.

Stable-mate Hodd’s Girl makes her first appearance at this level. The six-year-old has been a revelation since joining McGuinness in the summer, winning four times and climbing 37lb in the handicap.

McGuinness said: “There are not a lot of opportunities for Harry’s Bar in Ireland at this time of the year and he is a real all-weather specialist, so we have to travel.

“In fairness, Wolverhampton is not that far from me. It is three and a bit hours of driving plus a boat trip, so it is not too bad.

“The horse is in great order and I think the seven furlongs around Wolverhampton will suit. I would not be sure on a straight seven but going seven around a bend should play to his strengths.

“We are trying to sneak a bit of black type with Hodd’s Girl. She has not stopped improving since she came to us and her work is very good. I would not be surprised if she was able to make the frame.”

Last year’s Lady Wulfruna Stakes victor Tinker Toy (Roger Varian) looks to become the third dual winner, following Border Music and Dunelight, although he has yet to replicate the same form in three starts this winter.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained Vadream landed the G3 Bengough Stakes in 2021 and arrives on the back of a closing second in a Fillies’ & Mares’ Fast-Track Qualifier at Lingfield Park last month.

Iain Jardine’s Jump The Gun, last seen out finishing fourth in a Listed contest at Redcar in October, completes the eight runners.

There is further Fast-Track Qualifier action courtesy of the SCU Selects Expert Tips At BetUK Conditions Stakes (4.25pm), which offers a guaranteed place in the £150,000 All-Weather Marathon Championships.

Last year’s Marathon champion Earlofthecotswolds makes his third appearance this winter for Nigel Twiston-Davies, having finished third and fourth in Fast-Track Qualifiers at Southwell and Kempton Park.

The William Haggas-trained Roberto Escobarr, a Listed scorer at York in 2021, had a neck in hand over Earlofthecotswolds as they filled the places at Kempton Park last February but has not raced since.

Calling The Wind has been a consistent performer over staying trips in recent seasons for Richard Hughes, including a victory in the 2021 Goodwood Handicap and a third in last year’s Queen Alexandra Stakes.

Olly Murphy’s Fleurman lines up on the back of two handicap successes at Newcastle, while last season’s Marathon third Onesmoothoperator (Brian Ellison) has not been seen out since October.

A maximum field of 13 for the Spreadex Sports Lincoln Trial Handicap (2.05pm) includes 2022 victor Notre Belle Bete, who was second to Charlie Johnston’s Outlook at Lingfield Park two weeks ago.

Outlook is among six last-time-out winners in the line-up, with Unforgotten and prolific scorer War In Heaven other names to note for John & Thady Gosden and Mick Appleby respectively.

Likely Finals Day contenders line up in the Huge Daily Boosts Only BetUK Handicap (1.30pm) over six furlongs, with Soldier’s Minute, Silky Wilkie and Exalted Angel all engaged.