Warwick 2:35 Verdict

Time In A Bottle carries by far the highest OR (107) in this field, some 3lb+ clear of Rhythm of Life (104) and 16lb+ clear of the rest. She's from the powerful Dan Skelton yard, a trainer who excels with mares' maiden hurdlers, and her form figures (226F-6) show she's been running well at a much higher level than this contest requires - a couple of seconds and a third against likely stronger fields, with the fall/blip presumably not truly run form. Dropping into a modest maiden mares' event off that rating, she looks in a different class to most of these rivals who are rated in the 78-91 bracket. Rhythm of Life (104 OR, Tom George) is the main other threat with solid recent form (13-344) and a big yard behind her, but she's stepped up in trip recently without winning and the booking of a conditional (3lb claim) suggests this isn't a banker placed run for connections. Time In A Bottle's class edge combined with a in-form stable makes her the most reliable candidate to see out this 2m5f trip and win on ability alone. The rest of the field - Sweet Honey B, Blue Siam, Ask Peter, Athena's Dream, Lady Dapple Rose, Golden Tiara - are all rated 20lb or more below the top two and look to be competing for places rather than the win. Good to firm ground shouldn't be an issue for a well-bred, fit mare from a leading yard. I'm happy to oppose the market slightly if Rhythm of Life is favourite, as the rating advantage for Time In A Bottle is significant and Skelton's string has been in good form.