Wolverhampton preview: Innocently ready to cut a dash

David Metcalf | December 21, 2015

Innocently was a big eye-catcher last time out and can cash-in on a drop in the weights to land an overdue success in the 5f handicap on this evening’s eight-race card at Wolverhampton (16.40).

The David O’Meara trained gelding is on a long losing run, having not scored since landing a class 4 handicap at Ripon 16 months ago by 1 1/2 lengths off a mark of 81.

Innocently got got put up 6lb for that success to 87 and was far from disgraced of his revised rating when ninth of 16 to Online Alexander in a class 2 affair at York on his final start of the campaign.

The four-year-old is now able to race in this lower grade class 5 contest off just 74, and that gives the son of Kheleyf major claims at the weights on the pick of his form.

Innocently also comes into the contest on the back of three solid efforts, including when shaping far better than the bare result suggests last time out over course and distance when fifth of 10 to Temple Road.

After being held-up too far off the pace by inexprienced 7lb claimer Josh Doyle, Innocently ran on strongly to be nearest at the finish and beaten just 2 1/2 lengths.

To me he finished with plenty of petrol left in the tank, and with the more experienced Shelley Birkett now taking over in the saddle this looks a nice opening for Innocently to finally get his head back in front.

Les Gar Gan backed for 1m handicap

In the 1m handicap (18.10), the well-treated Les Gar Gan looks decent value to land the spoils.