Sommersturm is well-handicapped at present and is strongly fancied at 11/2 to take advantage and land the 3.30 at Wolverhampton today now renunited with Adam Kirby.
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 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 four starts back an amateur riders’ handicap at Lingfield on his penultimate start.
He then looked an unlucky lose on his penultimate start cover course and distance when going down by just 4/5 of a length to Fire In Babylon off today’s mark of 58.
Martin Harley aguably should have got after him earlier that day and was forced to switch at a vital stage before rallying strongly inside the last
He noiw meets that rival on 9lb better terms and given how the race panned out that should be more than enough to see him turn the tables.
Although the selection was then not at his best last time out at Lingfield his jiockey Eoin Walsh made too much use of him and let him see far too much daylight, and I am expecting far better now that he is reunited with Kirby.
He clearly knows how to get the best out of him, and there is little doubt that off 1lb lower than when last successful he is weighted to go in again.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win Sommersturm (11/2 Stan James – BOG)