Wolferton Handicap Preview

Blue Monday did me such a good turn when winning the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket last October, and it's not been an easy decision to dessert him in the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot on Friday. However, while he has won on fast going before, it's fair to say that he is a better horse when there's juice in the ground. He's won in Listed and Group 3 company the last twice, but on both occasions the going was riding on the soft side of good, as it was when he landed the Cambridgeshire. In contrast to Blue Monday, the Brian Meehan-trained Star of Light, who rates the value here at 6/1 with Blue Square, relishes fast ground. Despite being drawn out wide, the selection beat Blue Monday on good to firm going in the valuable John Smith's Stakes at Newbury last September, and actually meets Roger Charlton's charge on 3lb better terms in this Listed handicap. Star of Light was well behind Blue Monday at Newmarket in October, but the testing conditions were against him on that occasion, and he has returned in fine fettle this season. A victory in a well-contested event on the Rowley Mile in May was followed by a solid effort in defeat at Epsom on Oaks day when he finished two lengths third to Chancellor, despite clearly being ill at ease on that unconventional track. The five-year-old, as many before him, wasn't enamoured with Epsom's adverse camber. He will be much more effective back on this galloping track and, with the likes of I'm So Lucky and Wild Savannah set to ensure that a decent pace ensues, this race should pan out perfectly for Star of Light, who likes to be produced late from off of a strong pace. Public Forum hails from last year's winning stable, that of Sir Michael Stoute, and it's not hard to see why he's favourite for this contest. He was having his first start for nearly a year and just the third race of his career when getting on top close home to beat Hail The Chief by a neck in a strong handicap at Sandown in April. The unbeaten Rainbow Quest colt has clearly been primed for this race by Stoute, and having been raised just 4lb for that victory, he still looks feasibly treated. The bottom line is that Sir Michael wouldn't have persevered with him in the way that he has unless he thought that he was a potential Pattern-class performer. As such, he is a live danger. Wild Savannah also looked to be feasibly treated off a mark 4lb higher than for his last win. In the race in question at Newmarket, John Gosden's charge repelled subsequent Zetland Gold Cup hero Chantaco by a neck, with a number of decent sorts in behind, and on that evidence he too merits the utmost respect. Blue Spinnaker would prefer more cut in the ground, while Momtic is a very smart entire, who is bound to have hi supporters with Kieren Fallon in the saddle. However, he has looked like a non-stayer when tried over a mile and a quarter before, so there must be a doubt about him getting home in what looks sure to be a truly-run race. Verdict - 1pt Star of Light @ 6/1 (Blue Square)