20:30 Wolverhampton

Saturday 9 September 2017

All16:5517:2518:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

University Of Wolverhampton Racing Handicap

Off time: 20:33 | Winning time: 2m 37.38s

(2)

Hussar Ballad²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: William Cox⁽⁷⁾| T: A Brittain| OR: 60| C| D

7/1

Last couple of runs over C&D have been in better grade against improving types. Goes well here and off a falling mark, with a good claimer on board, he looks set to go close. Last run was poor but this circuit and faster ground will be a benefit.

Form: 333040

(10)

Stonecoldsoba⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: S De Sousa| T: D P Quinn| OR: 59| CD

7/2

Has won over C&D from a similar mark and recent improvement over hurdles makes him a strong candidate in this. Rider adds to the appeal.

Form: 343379

(7)

Powered¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: David Egan⁽³⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 58

17/2

Record of 1-31 and although he has promised to add to that score, he continues to flatter and is expensive to rely on.

Form: 892335

(5)

Life Of Luxury¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: William Carson| T: W M Brisbourne| OR: 58

8/1

Has been campaigning at around 1m but pedigree, by Shamardal out of a dam who ran in the Oaks, makes this a sensible move. On a handy mark if the experiment works.

Form: 645235

(8)

Frozon^h³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 57| CD

3/1

Broke his duck over C&D and a 3lb rise seems reasonable enough. Stable going through a quiet spell (1-34 in past four weeks).

Form: 58-5521

(11)

Tingo In The Tale^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Toby Eley⁽⁷⁾| T: A Forbes| OR: 57| D

11/1

Infrequent winner who was dropped in trip to land an amateur's race and break a five year losing streak. That makes him an unlikely type to go in again so soon.

Form: 738471

(9)

The Last Melon²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Ryan Powell| T: J Bennett| OR: 56

33/1

Has shown little in all starts under both codes. Makes handicap debut in lowly company but remains hard to recommend.

Form: 965

(12)

Infiniti¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jane Elliott⁽⁵⁾| T: B Leavy| OR: 56| CD

14/1

C&D winner in May who has been here in higher class since and also in two runs on turf. Handicap mark looks more attractive for his return to this track and a more acceptable grade.

Form: 041767

(3)

Filament Of Gold^p⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: R Brotherton| OR: 55| CD

10/1

Three of his four victories have come here and he is just 1lb higher than when scoring over C&D in May. Consistency has never been a strong point and he looks the type who could bounce back from a poor run last time.

Form: 8-39128

(6)

Star Ascending^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: T Eaves| T: J Candlish| OR: 52| CD

9/1

In form around here in the spring and landed a C&D success off a 3lb higher mark. Has been below par lately but this looks less competitive.

Form: 364964

(4)

Yasir¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Katherine Begley⁽⁷⁾| T: C R Dore| OR: 52| CD

20/1

Winner of four races over C&D but struggling recently and yard continue to have a hard time. Looks up against it.

Form: 563786

(1)

Callaghan^h,t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S Donohoe| T: T R Gretton| OR: 50

28/1

0-16 but produced one of his better efforts over C&D in May and 13lb lower here. Could be a surprise package if running to that level again, although subsequent efforts suggest it was a one-off.

Form: 0-57005

Forecasts

Frozon (3/1), Stonecoldsoba (7/2), Hussar Ballad (7/1), Life Of Luxury (8/1), Powered (17/2), Star Ascending (9/1), Filament Of Gold (10/1), Tingo In The Tale (11/1), Infiniti (14/1), Yasir (20/1), Callaghan (28/1), The Last Melon (33/1)

The two topweights Hussar Ballad and STONECOLDSOBA make most appeal in the finale. Hussar Ballad is well treated and his rider is good value for his claim. The veteran goes well here but the yard have been finding things tough of late and STONECOLDSOBA is just preferred. He is on a handy mark and has been showing improved form over hurdles lately. A significant jockey booking makes him more attractive.