Wolsey

Wolsey ran better than suggested by the bare form of his run in the 10-furlong three-year-olds’ handicap at Sandown on Saturday. Weak in the market beforehand, he was held up towards the rear of the field by Adam Kirby early on, and he travelled well into the home straight. He made nice ground down the outside early in the home straight, and he picked up when he came under a ride at the two-furlong marker. He just couldn’t get to the leader Youthful King however, his run flattened out close home and he faded deep inside the final furlong to finish sixth.

This was a race in which the early pace held up well, the winner made all, and the favourite Picual did well to keep on as well as she did to finish second. She can be marked up on the bare form of the run too. But Wolsey’s run may have gone under the radar. As well as being well back early on, he had to try to make his ground widest of all.

This was his first run for Kevin Philippart De Foy, it was his first run since a gelding operation and it was his first run since April, and he was weak in the market beforehand. He could come on appreciably for this. This 10-furlong trip is probably his optimum, he may not have fully seen out the 12-furlong trip on his final run for Andrew Balding in April, but he will be of interest wherever he goes next.
Sandown, 2^nd July 2022