18:10 Wolverhampton

Saturday 23 September 2017

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:4021:10

Jennings Cumberland Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 18:11 | Winning time: 1m 13.12s

(12)

Don't Blame Me¹³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: William Cox⁽⁷⁾| T: C G Cox| OR: 75| D

10/1

Not seen much this season and latest effort at Windsor (back in May) left plenty to be desired, although he did show plenty of speed there. Has form on sand surfaces but stall 12 could be the stumbling block.

Form: 4411-29

(3)

Major Valentine²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 74| BF| CD

15/2

Nothing if not consistent and has run to a very similar level on his last four starts. Acts on artificial surfaces and nicely drawn in stall 3 should he wish to go forward early (has done in the past, although held up last time). Shortlisted.

Form: 132323

(1)

Lord Cooper^p,t²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Oscar Pereira| T: J Santos| OR: 75| CD

14/1

Comes with a few risks after some below-par efforts but was twice a C&D winner here earlier in the year and looked a natural on the surface. On a fair mark and no surprise if he came back to form from a good draw here.

Form: 955478

(6)

Miracle Garden^b1¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 72| CD

7/2

No win since February 2016 is a concern, but has run to a fair level last three starts and possible the change of headgear might just work the oracle. Will need a good pace to come off at this trip but not ruled out.

Form: 846353

(2)

Liberatum¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 73

16/1

Steadily climbing the handicap after a series of progressive efforts, although Windsor win not quite as good as it looked at the time and he needs to bounce back from a lesser effort last time out. Not discounted, but needs another step forward here

Form: 239124

(7)

Rockley Point⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Joey Haynes| T: P W D'Arcy| OR: 70

10/1

Looked to be very much on the downgrade but stopped the rot to some point with a better effort at Windsor last time out. Has form at the track and simply too well handicapped to discount, although a 1-21 win record tempers enthusiasm.

Form: 578606

(5)

Thankyou Stars¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J G Portman| OR: 70

80/1

Clearly had a few issues and had been missing for over a year before reappearing at Ripon recently. Didn't shown enough there and others readily preferred.

Form: 232-6

(8)

Cat Silver^p²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: William Carson| T: C Wallis| OR: 69| D

16/1

Winner at Windsor in July but has found life harder since then, although a drop in class here may help. Can take a hold so will need a good pace up front and if getting one, can't be totally ruled out.

Form: 507155

(4)

Newstead Abbey^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: D C Costello| T: M Herrington| OR: 69| CD

4/1

In great form and landed some hefty wagers when successful at Chelmsford last time, getting there in the very last stride. Up 4lb for that and is upped in grade here, so needs a touch more, but has to be on the shortlist.

Form: 600121

(9)

Trotter¹⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: George Buckell⁽⁵⁾| T: W S Kittow| OR: 71

40/1

Not seen out since April, so has to be a question mark over fitness, but has been narrowly denied twice over this C&D and clearly conditions are fine if he does come back ready to go. Market may guide.

Form: 5-6224

(13)

The Amber Fort³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Josh Doyle⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 70| CD

6/1

Just the one win in 11 starts but hard to knock his current wellbeing, in the frame last four starts and went close over C&D (from a poor draw) back in July. Poorly drawn again here though and that alone is enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 782332

(10)

Mr Strutter^h²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Manuel Fernandes⁽⁷⁾| T: Ronald Thompson| OR: 67| D

33/1

Came good in a selling handicap at Thirsk at the beginning of the month but only just won there and is 3lb higher in a tougher race here. Best watched on debut for new yard.

Form: 117221

Non-Runners

(11)

Treaty Of Rome²⁶

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: D Shaw J: S J Drowne

Forecasts

Miracle Garden (7/2), Newstead Abbey (4/1), The Amber Fort (6/1), Major Valentine (15/2), Rockley Point (10/1), Don't Blame Me (10/1), Treaty Of Rome (10/1), Lord Cooper (14/1), Liberatum (16/1), Cat Silver (16/1), Mr Strutter (33/1), Trotter (40/1), Thankyou Stars (80/1)

Should be some pace on here, with Don't Blame Me likely to set it, but from stall 12 he may have to use some petrol up early and he looks vulnerable late on. Plenty of these can be given a chance of sorts but LORD COOPER may appreciate the return to Tapeta and is taken to come out on top. Major Valentinemay well hit the frame again, with The Amber Fort, Newstead Abbey and Rockley Point all given consideration in a tricky event.