Wolverhampton Preview: Flavio can exploit class drop

Energia Flavio shaped well last time out and can take advantage of a drop in class to land the 1m 1f feature handicap at Wolverhampton today (2.55).

The five-year-old was a two-time winner in Brazil before joining trainer Marco Botti and has run well in some decent class 2 contests for the Newmarket handler.

They include a solid fourth to Melvin The Grate three starts back over course and distance off a mark of 93, and a cracking third to Brocklebank 17 days ago.

The latter also came over course and distance, and Energia Flavio showed plenty of pace to lead until being headed a furling from home and being unable to find any extra deep inside the last to be beaten just over two lengths.
It was an effort which suggested the son of Agnes Gold would not be long in opening his account, and the form of the race looks very strong in the context of this lower grade contest.
If able to build on that effort, Energia Flavio looks well-treated off an unchanged mark of 91 now dropping into class 3 company for the first time.

His handler boasts a 20% strike rate with his runners at the track in the past 12 months, and with Ryan Tate’s claim taking another 3lb of Energia Flavio’s back he looks weighted to take all the beating.
In the extended 5f handicap (4.25), Kodiac Lady could well have got in lightly.

The Jason Tate trained filly showed she had ability when not been knocked about in three quick runs to get a qualifying mark, and caught the eye on the second of those when fifth of seven to Wedlock at Lingfield.
The daughter of Kodiac showed plenty of dash to lead until being headed a furlong from home and weakening late on to be beaten just 2 3/4 lengths.

The three-year-old finished just 1/2 a length behind the third home Shackled N Drawn who has gone on to score twice since and is now rated 74, and just a head behind the fourth placed Brazen Spirit who won next time up and is also now rated 74.

That gives the form a strong look in the context of this class 6 contest and makes Kodiac Lady’s opening mark of just 60 look potentially on the lenient side.

Her handler is also in decent form having saddled three winners from his last 10 runners, and it would be no suprise to see Kodiac Lady improve significantly now going down the handicap route.