14:20 Wolverhampton

Monday 27 February 2017

All14:2014:5515:2515:5516:2516:5517:25

Betway Middle Distance Handicap

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 1m 59.91s

(6)

Shadow Spirit¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 67

11/2

Still a maiden after 16 starts. Came closest to breaking her duck when half a length behind Bollihope over C&D last October. Met trouble in running when 5L behind Thello over this trip at Newcastle latest.

Form: 325283

(5)

Cat Royale^p⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 66

11/2

Only All Weather victory gained at Kempton a year ago. Races prominently and kept on well when headed and beaten ¾L by Kingthistle over extended 1m1f here in January.

Form: 5-27380

(7)

King Oswald⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: George Downing| T: J W Unett| OR: 64

11/4

Only success came over a furlong shorter on this course last August but has proved inconsistent subsequently. Favourite, held up and failed to get in a blow when beaten 1½L behind Dunquin over C&D latest.

Form: 255663

(2)

Pour L'Amour⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 63

13/2

Showed little in first four starts including one over hurdles but placed over C&D on handicap debut and produced another decent effort when second over 1m4f+ at Newcastle earlier in the month.

Form: 248231

(1)

Admirable Art⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: A W Carroll| OR: 62

16/1

Has won twice over seven furlongs at this track and, during last summer produced several good performances at Brighton. Probably needed the run, following a three month lay off, when 14L behind Gossiping over a furlong shorter here last time.

Form: 14121-9

(4)

Gabrial The Thug^t²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: S Donohoe| T: Ian Williams| OR: 61

3/1

All six AW successes have been gained over the extended mile on this track, the latest when taking an amateurs event comfortably earlier in the month. Stayed on to finish 2¼L behind Idol Deputy over the same trip when attempting to complete the hat-trick two days ago.

Form: 711237

(9)

May Mist⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: G Lee| T: T Wall| OR: 61

22/1

Maiden who has turned in some promising efforts. Prominent till faded final 2f when making handicap debut over C&D earlier in the month. Could need further.

Form: 652-6

(10)

Siouxperhero^p⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W R Muir| OR: 60

33/1

In and out performer. Decent effort when 2L behind Black Hole Sun over C&D last month but never in the hunt when well beaten at Lingfield latest.

Form: 282105

(8)

Lemon Thyme^h⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S W Kelly| T: M Murphy| OR: 60

18/1

Has failed to make the frame in four starts but better effort when 1½L behind Simply Me over 1m at Lingfield earlier this month. Has twice been tried in a hood and that headgear's retained here.

Form: 48-5900

Non-Runners

(3)

Golly Miss Molly²⁵

Weight: 9-4| Age: 6

T: J Gask J: D A Parkes

Forecasts

King Oswald (11/4), Gabrial The Thug (3/1), Shadow Spirit (11/2), Cat Royale (11/2), Pour L'Amour (13/2), Admirable Art (16/1), Golly Miss Molly (16/1), Lemon Thyme (18/1), May Mist (22/1), Siouxperhero (33/1)

GABRIAL THE THUG turns out quickly after failing to complete a hat-trick over the extended mile of this track two days ago when, after encountering early trouble, he stayed on to finish 2¼L behind Idol Deputy. This represents a step up in trip on this surface but he was successful over 1m2f at Newcastle earlier in his career and his style of running suggests that this should be no problem. Cat Royale gave notice of a return to for when chasing home Kingthistle here in January and could give the selection most to do, while Pour L'Amour looks to be on the upgrade and could fill the minor spot. 1. Gabrial The Thug 2. Cat Royale 3. Pour L'amour