'She's sharpened up plenty and should be competitive' - trainer quotes and analysis for Wolverhampton handicap

The disadvantage of a wide draw at Wolverhampton can be exacerbated in sprint races at the Midlands track and such a berth is never ideal for a front-runner. With this in mind, Lady Dreamer's performance here last month surely deserves upgrading.

She was out in stall 12 and raced on her own for the first furlong and a half before tacking across to lead them along. Having kicked for home long before entering the home straight, Lady Dreamer seemed to pay for those exertions in the final half-furlong when fading into third. 

Stall nine asks a similarly difficult question of Lady Dreamer, although a noteworthy lack of early pace for a sprint field may allow her to get away with that wide berth. 

While Lady Dreamer is increasingly shaping like an out-and-out sprinter, early favourite Tiger Crusade is perfectly capable over 7f and a strongly run race over this shorter trip is essential. For all he arrives in good heart after solid recent efforts at Kempton and Lingfield, that archetypal pace set-up might evade him.

Topweight Just A Spark has ground to make up with Tiger Crusade from their clash at Kempton last month, but is entitled to come forward from her first outing since May and loves it at Wolverhampton (3-4 career record).

A big effort from Lir Speciale is another possibility. This may be his first start in 122 days, but he has struck off 110 and 217-day breaks in the past, while trainer Stuart Williams is 20 per cent (2-10) when applying a first-time visor to his runners over the past year.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Going latest

Wolverhampton is the only meeting to survive on Tuesday, with Hereford and Leicester both called off due to winter conditions. While the all-weather track was covered in snow on Monday morning, conditions have improved and clerk Fergus Cameron anticipates no issues for raceday. 

"We had a light covering this morning but that's now cleared," Cameron said on Monday. "The track is totally raceable now. We have a light frost on Tuesday morning but we should remain dry for the next few days."

What they say

Rod Millman, trainer of Just A Spark
Her race Kempton last month was her first run back, and she ran well but got tired up the straight. She should be competitive with a bit of luck but I'd have preferred a better draw. I'm hoping she'll come on from the run and Oliver [Searle] had a nice winner for us last week, which is a good sign.

David Simcock, trainer of Tiger Crusade
I've been very pleased with his first two runs in the all-weather season. He ran a good race last time, but you could argue he probably wants seven furlongs now and he might be better at that trip. This looks a decent opportunity though and we have every chance.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Lir Speciale
I'm happy with him and he's ready to run after a short break. He's running against hard, fit sprinters who have been running regularly, and sometimes they're a bit rusty first time out. He's good to go though, and we're hoping he goes well.

James Horton, trainer of Pure Angel
She was desperately in need of the run when we went to Chelmsford, and then we had a little niggle between that and Wolverhampton the last day, so she probably needed it again as she'd been off the track for a very long time. She looks to have sharpened up plenty, Adam [Farragher] said last time she went through her race very well and she just took a good blow. She should strip pretty fit and we've got a reasonable draw, so she should be competitive.

Tom Ward, trainer of Lady Dreamer
She's got a terrible draw again but otherwise she's in very good form. She ran well the other day from an awful draw – she just had to do a lot of work early. Hopefully this time, with a slight lack of pace, she might be able to cross these a little bit easier. She goes there in good form and she could run another nice race.
Reporting by Catherine Macrae

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