Rhys Williams' Friday Racing Tips: Wildkatze to surprise on handicap debut

Potential to improve in far easier company

Worcester 16:35: Wildkatze 1pt win 16/1

Last time out winners Agent Valdez and Cushuish head the market for the mares' handicap chase at Worcester while it's no surprise that there's been bits of early money for Always Able, on her first start for Matt Sheppard, and Floral Bouquet, who gets on the ground she wants for the first time over fences. However, it's the outsider of the field who I think could surprise on her handicap debut.

Wildkatze had two starts in France for Alexandra Rosa, one on the flat at Cholet and the second over hurdles at Cagnes Sur Mer. The tight track at Cagnes Sur Mer was completely against her and her cause wasn't helped by a few mistakes. She was still in a share of third at 3 out but was outpaced soon after and she had been eased going to the last but plugged on again after it under some pressure.

She was off the track for over a year before returning to action over fences at Ludlow for Tom Gretton. She didn't have the class to get near the leaders at any stage and she weakened after leaving the back straight but it was encouraging how well she jumped for a chasing debut.

She showed more last time at Warwick on slightly better ground than she ran on at Ludlow. After playing up a bit at the start, she jumped off fine and chased the leader early on. She dropped back to third after a few fences and stayed in that position until being left second after Deja Vue unseated. She continued to race handily going down the line of five fences until starting to weaken approaching the fourth of them and she was soon left behind by the front three turning the final bend, eventually coming home 42 lengths behind the winner.

The way that Wildkatze has dropped away on her two runs in Britain suggest that she may have needed the run on both and/or that she may have a wind issue. A tongue tie goes on for her handicap debut and it wouldn't be a surprise if she was to finish off the race stronger as a result.

She is starting off in handicaps off a mark of 86 and I think she could have more ability than that. Her run at Cagnes Sur Mer would justify a higher rating than that and her run at Warwick hinted that she had more ability than that in the way she travelled against much higher rated opposition. Her jumping could also prove to be a big asset in a race where some of her opposition haven't always convinced in the jumping department.

Given her size, it may be that Wildkatze only starts to show her true ability a season or two down the line as she starts to strengthen up and this new trip is an unknown for her but I think she could have more to offer than her price suggests.