18:45 Wolverhampton

Saturday 7 October 2017

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:4521:15

bet365 Handicap

Off time: 18:48 | Winning time: 1m 12.59s

(5)

Hakam^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: M Appleby| OR: 95| C| D

9/2

Four-time winner on the AW, including over 7f around here in the past. Best recent effort was when a short-head runner-up in a Class 2 event at Ascot in July, which entitles him to sound claims on just second run since.

Form: 190420

(6)

Go Far^v⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Joshua Bryan⁽⁵⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 95| CD

8/1

Four-time C&D winner, most recently in March off a mark of 95. Decent effort last month when runner-up in soft ground over this trip at Ffos Las and can have a big say in this.

Form: 336002

(2)

Barracuda Boy¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 94| CD

16/1

Has three wins from 12 career starts on the AW and best effort to date, from three, for this trainer came over the trip last month at Kempton. Below previous winning mark now and capable of getting involved.

Form: 708-875

(10)

King Robert^p1⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: T Eaves| T: B Smart| OR: 93| CD

8/1

C&D winner in February off mark of 89 and went close again next time having been raised 3lb. Running sound races on turf since and with first-time cheekpieces on could be set for big run back on this surfrace.

Form: 287376

(3)

Seeking Magic^h,t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Ryan Tate| T: C G Cox| OR: 92| D

17/2

Likeable sort, was just denied recently over this trip at Kempton on first AW start of 2017, has been raised 3lb for his trouble but should be in the mix again.

Form: 038142

(8)

Watchable^v⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Patrick Vaughan⁽⁷⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91| D

22/1

Strike rate of 2-37 doesn't appeal, well held over 6f at Chelmsford in June over this trip and no AW win from four attempts. Winless anywhere since 2014 and, despite sliding mark, is best watched for now.

Form: 543460

(1)

George Dryden⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S A Gray| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 91| D

33/1

Over two years since last win, struggling since off inflated marks, has run in some decent contests this year but unable to land any sort of blow. Dropping down the ratings but hard to muster much confidence for now.

Form: 55-5070

(12)

Sign of The Kodiac¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Joe Doyle| T: J G Given| OR: 91| C| D

12/1

Picked up a decent prize at Dundalk in March over this trip, was behind Seeking Magic at Kempton last time out but has won here in the past and not to be ruled out.

Form: 502665

(9)

Highland Acclaim^h³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Josh Doyle⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91| D

50/1

All six career wins have come on turf, three most recent of which have been on unique undulations of Epsom. Not as good seemingly on artificial surfaces and is plenty high in ratings currently. Others more likely in these circumstances.

Form: 271501

(13)

Sir Ottoman^p1¹²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Adam Beschizza| T: I Furtado| OR: 90| D

50/1

French import, cut little ice in pair of strong turf races having arrived on these shores. Has changed hands and rated 5lb lower now making first AW start in Britain and worth a second look in the betting.

Form: 1-26490

(7)

Gulliver^p1,t²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: H Palmer| OR: 91

5/2

Sole win from 10 starts came in a maiden at York a year ago (7f, good). Has run some promising races on turf since, with the odd no-show as well. Cheekpieces are tried for this AW bow and is respected with yard in fine flow at the moment.

Form: 402762

(11)

Gentlemen^h¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁷⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 90| CD

12/1

Has gone 17 runs without a win now but returned from 170-day layoff with solid effort over 6f at Kempton 12 days ago, form that ties in closely with a number of these rivals. Fitter now and claim helps.

Form: 478484

(4)

Poet's Society⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J F Egan| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 90| D

16/1

Four of five career wins have been over the minimum trip, but did win over 6f at Chelmsford a year ago, back up in distance and boasts 50% AW strike rate (3-6).

Form: 638010

Forecasts

Gulliver (5/2), Hakam (9/2), King Robert (8/1), Go Far (8/1), Seeking Magic (17/2), Sign of The Kodiac (12/1), Gentlemen (12/1), Barracuda Boy (16/1), Poet's Society (16/1), Watchable (22/1), George Dryden (33/1), Sir Ottoman (50/1), Highland Acclaim (50/1)

This looks wide open and the narrow vote is given to KING ROBERT, who has scope for better on the surface. A C&D winner in February, he's already displayed he can complete off this sort of rating and with first-time cheekpieces on can get back on the winning trail having run some pleasing race on turf this summer. Multiple C&D scorer Go Far joins the likes of Seeking Magic, Gulliver and Hakam in holding solid claims while Poet's Society boasts excellent credentials on the AW and may rebound from a poor effort last month heavy going at Haydock.