7.12 Wolverhampton – Class 5 Fillies’ Handicap, 5f (Tapeta) Race Analysis and Shortlist
This is a competitive Class 5 sprint where pace and positioning will be decisive. Conditions set up for a strongly run race: multiple confirmed forward-goers, notably Jeans Maite drawn widest in 8 and Colors Of Freedom from stall 5, ensure that there’s little chance of a falsely run contest. Several with prominent pace ratings are drawn wide, which could prove costly if not able to get across early. Wolverhampton’s sharp turning five furlongs rewards tactical speed and control more than raw stamina.
Pace Map and Race Shape
Jeans Maite and Colors Of Freedom will press the pace from the outset. Bella Love and Jake Loves Laura are both drawn to hold early position just behind them, while The Feminine Urge and Madame Fenella are likely to be ridden patiently. This sets up for either a sustained effort from a strong traveller with mid-race efficiency or a well-positioned closer if the leaders overdo it.
Runner Profiles
The Feminine Urge
Has taken time to find her level but responded well to the return to 5f on turf when winning at Windsor. That was a strongly run race, and she dug in gamely from off the pace. The concern is suitability: her only Tapeta run came here over 7f and was flat. If she’s to follow up, she’ll need to adapt to a sharper, turning test and prove she can be as effective on the surface. Her PR of 67 supports her current mark, and she shapes as a danger with a clear run if the track doesn’t catch her out.
Jeans Maite
A nine-year-old who is what she is. Her best form comes when dominating on synthetic tracks, with two course-and-distance wins here. However, she’s not looked the same horse in 2025 and was beaten four lengths last time when trying to force the issue at Southwell. She’ll go hard from stall 8, but this isn’t a deep Class 6 and she’s now vulnerable to sharper 3yo types who can stalk and pounce.
Bella Love
Still a maiden but has shown enough to suggest there’s a small race in her. Notably placed on her only Tapeta start and has run respectably in deeper company. Drawn in 1 with a pace rating of 8, she could hold the rail and play a role if she breaks cleanly. She lacks the sustained gear change of some rivals, but a clean run from the inside keeps her in the conversation for a place.
Colors Of Freedom
Won here off 51 on her final start of 2024 but has failed to beat a rival in two turf runs this season. Her Wolverhampton record is strong — two wins from four course-and-distance starts — and she’s clearly much more comfortable on the AW. The issue is price compression and limitations: she’s 0 from 7 in Class 5, and although her PR suggests she’s running to a mark, she needs an efficient lead to deliver. With Jeans Maite likely to push her early, she may not get her terms.
Startling
The most solid and consistent profile in the race. She’s 3 from 14 at 5f, handles Tapeta well, and has run a career-best on her most recent start when only just denied off this mark over C&D. She wears cheekpieces for the first time and looks tactically versatile enough to sit just behind a fast pace. Her PR and OR are closely aligned, and she’s holding her level with a solid bank of efforts in defeat. Looks set to run her race again and is the clear form benchmark.
Jake Loves Laura
Lightly raced and still unexposed. Her recent effort when third here over 6f was a clear career best, and she showed enough pace to suggest the drop to 5f is worth trying. She’s 6lb below her mark on PR, and although this is a sharper test, she may actually benefit from the stronger early fractions. Drawn in 7, she’ll need luck early to find a slot, but there’s a shape to her profile that suggests she could land a blow off her current rating.
Hint Of Humour
Ran better than the result when third in a Lingfield maiden over 6f where she was short of room. She drops in trip, and while she hasn’t yet won, there are signs she’s finding her feet. This isn’t deep for a Class 5, and the booking of Hollie Doyle is notable. There’s a setup angle here if she can settle midfield and latch onto a collapsing pace.
Madame Fenella
Exposed and very limited on Tapeta. Despite being well treated on PR, she’s now 0 from 16 on the surface and has looked flat in recent efforts. Drawn well in stall 2 but hard to see her reversing the trend unless everything collapses in front and she’s in the perfect spot.
Shortlist
1. Startling – Holding her form well, consistent profile, and now gets cheekpieces to sharpen focus. The most reliable runner in the race with conditions to suit.
2. Jake Loves Laura – Has run to a higher rating than her current OR, and her latest effort hinted at more to come. Dangerous if she handles the drop in trip.
3. The Feminine Urge – In form and comes off a game turf win, but questions remain about Tapeta suitability. Could still be the best closer in a strong pace setup.
4. Hint Of Humour – Unexposed, lightly raced, and with a top jockey. Looks well-weighted and may improve for the trip drop.
This race has a volatile shape but a strong profile case can be made for Startling as the standard, with Jake Loves Laura as the potential improver. If the surface doesn’t catch her out, The Feminine Urge has the class to defy.
8.42 Wolverhampton – Class 5 Fillies’ Handicap (1m4f, Standard)
A mix of exposed types, returning mares, and lightly-raced 3yo fillies contest a modest but informative event. With pace likely to come from Spiced Rum and possibly Kokinelli, the race may set up for something travelling kindly mid-pack. Surface suitability, track position, and scope for improvement are all pivotal here.
Spiced Rum
Returns from a 404-day absence after a dual hurdle-winning campaign last winter. She bolted up by 15 lengths on heavy ground over 2m1f at Bath on her last Flat start and now debuts for Kevin Philippart de Foy. Carries top weight, but the market suggests fitness may not be assured. She’s a galloper who stays well, but this sharp Tapeta circuit may blunt her strengths. Her past Tapeta effort (beaten comfortably here over 9.5f) offered little encouragement, and her latest PRs sit well below her mark of 67.
Encircle
Unexposed 4yo who showed some promise on debut here over shorter. That early effort offers a fragment of encouragement, but she hasn’t built on it since. Returns from a break with cheekpieces and tongue-tie added for the first time. The step up to 1m4f is a positive on pedigree, but her PR of 62 is still shy of her 65 mark. Hard to weigh confidently, but not without potential to run above her odds.
Kokinelli
Shaped as though needing a stronger test when placed over this trip at Kempton last autumn. Ran freely next time and faded, but overall shaped like a filly with a race in her. That said, her sole Tapeta effort was underwhelming and she still has to prove she can settle in a truly run staying race. Hollie Doyle retains the ride, and she tracks the pace nicely, but still a little to prove at the business end off 64.
Damzon
Very limited profile so far and arrives here with a sequence of heavy defeats. Her best run came in a maiden where she showed some promise before being outclassed next time in a novice. Drops into handicap company for the first time fitted with cheekpieces, but stamina and form both remain huge question marks. Her PR of 50 leaves her with plenty to find from 56.
Tralee Girl
Progressive 3yo who impressed when winning at Windsor last time, taking her handicap debut nicely despite racing a bit freely early. Proven over the trip and should be suited by Tapeta, having already placed twice over it in novice company. Her PR of 66 puts her just below her mark, but she’s clearly trending the right way and connections look to have found a logical stepping stone. Can sit handy or track the pace and looks the most straightforward in this field.
Solar Pass
Won a Lingfield maiden over 1m on her third start and now steps up dramatically in trip. That performance was stylish but came over a mile, and her only prior Tapeta run was well below par on debut. She’s bred to stay this far, but it’s still an unknown on first try over 1m4f. From a good yard and looks well treated if she stays, but fitness off a break and stamina are real questions. Her PR of 66 suggests she’s close to her mark, with room to sharpen.
Pure Theory
Third over this C&D last time behind Chilli Queen, beaten 10 lengths in a slowly-run four-runner affair. She ran better than the bare result but still didn’t exactly hit the line hard. Had improved significantly from first to second run last year, so may come on again. Her PR of 59 is below her 65 OR, and the evidence so far suggests this trip may stretch her.
A La Louche
Yet to finish in the first five in five career starts and has shown little to date. Beaten comprehensively on every occasion, including at this track. She’s bred to stay but has offered nothing on the clock or form to suggest this is her day. Her PR of 55 underlines how much she needs to improve.
Shortlist
Tralee Girl – Has the most convincing blend of form, setup, and progression. Proven over the trip and has handled the surface. Major claims if continuing her upward curve.
Solar Pass – Open to significant improvement but has stamina to prove. If staying, her mark looks lenient. The danger.
Kokinelli – On a fair mark, and if settling better, can get involved. Still holds more promise than most of the older brigade.
