Sommersturm is back down below his last winning mark and makes plenty of appeal at 4/1 in the 5.00 at Wolverhampton today.
David Evans’ charge was in good form on the polytack earlier last year when winning three times – including over course and distance – with his last also coming at this venue in a 2m 1f contest.
He readily pulled clear to beat I I Had Him by 4 lengths that day in the hands of Adam Kirby off a mark of 59, and has since gone on to be placed off marks of 66 and 62 (twice).
The nine-year-old ran really well to finish third of 12 to Arashi over 2m at Kempton back in June off 62, and although he then failed to trouble the judged in his next five starts he ran well when runner-up to Epsom Salts in an amateur riders’ handicap at Lingfield on his penultimate start.
He got put up 2lb for that effort and subsequently failed to back it up last time out when finishing a never competitive 11th of 14 to Outrageous Request, but the handicapper has been quick to drop him 1lb and he now gets into this off 58.
That is 1lb lower than whne last successful and gives him every chance at the weights if putting his best foot forward.
The small field in this may well enable him to travel more sweetly and keep his mind on the job in hand, and if that’s the case he has to go close at a venue which has seen him motch 3 of his four career successes.
Another plus is that he gets the sxervices of Martin Harley in the saddle who has a 28% strike rate for the stable in the past 12 months.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win Sommersturm (4/1 bet365, Boylesports, Paddy Power – BOG)