19:00 Wolverhampton

Thursday 26 January 2017

All17:5018:2519:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

Betway Handicap

Off time: 19:02 | Winning time: 3m 44.31s

(2)

Zakatal¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: P J McDonald| T: R Menzies| OR: 84

10/1

Has never won off a mark this high and generally shows his best form around here. Proved effective around Newcastle the last twice, finishing second of nine on both occasions. The form of both those races has received a few boosts since and it's possible he can maintain his upward curve so has to be of interest here.

Form: 52-2261

(6)

Cotton Club²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Ryan Tate| T: B R Millman| OR: 82

18/1

Despite having two wins on Turf and two wins on the AW he's much more highly rated and at home on the artificial surface. Both his AW wins have come at Chelmsford where he seems fully at home but he's not returned in the same kind of form this season and looks set to struggle here.

Form: 454-714

(9)

Percy Veer²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: G Baker| T: S Kirk| OR: 81

11/4

Three-time winner on the AW (last three wins have all come on a synthetic surface) but hasn't won since November 2015 over 1m6f. Needs a strong gallop to aim at and has the right man in the saddle if there's pace on but there's no confirmed front runner in here.

Form: 524555

(7)

Esteaming^p1¹¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 80

25/1

Finished third behind Litigant in the November Handicap at Doncaster in 2015 but on only seen twice since and tailed off on both occasions. Has well-being to prove now.

Form: 5373-00

(5)

Excellent Puck²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: F Sweeney| T: S Lycett| OR: 76

16/1

Not in the same kind of form that saw him win last season on the AW and his mark just looks a little too high for now.

Form: 286-665

(3)

Charismatic Man²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P C O'Donnell⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Beckett| OR: 82

4/5

Been in good form for this yard and only narrowly beaten last time out against another progressive sort. Seemed to stop momentarily when hitting the front there though which would be a slight concern if aiming to gain compensation for last time.

Form: 76-481

(8)

Handsome Dan¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 9-0| J: Jack Duern⁽³⁾| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 70

28/1

Veteran who is still a maiden on the Flat but performed okay on return from an absence last time but likely to need plenty more.

Form: 220-378

Non-Runners

(1)

Freud¹⁷⁹

Weight: 9-9| Age: 7

T: Ian Williams J: S Donohoe

(4)

Aldreth²¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 6

T: M & D Easterby J: Lewis Edmunds

Forecasts

Charismatic Man (4/5), Percy Veer (11/4), Aldreth (9/2), Zakatal (10/1), Excellent Puck (16/1), Freud (16/1), Cotton Club (18/1), Esteaming (25/1), Handsome Dan (28/1)

ALDRETH showed an improved attitude last time and has claims if he can show that same attitude here with a top claimer booked. Charismatic Man is likely to be of warm order in the market but there were signs last time out he's not completely straight-forward. Zakatal has been finishing behind some well-handicapped sorts and may make his presents felt. 1. Aldreth 2. Charismatic Man 3. Zakatal