19:15 Wolverhampton

Friday 27 October 2017

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

Betway Handicap

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 2m 36.22s

(6)

Paris Protocol^p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 84

14/1

Only win in 14 starts came at Salisbury over two years ago. Good effort to finish close up at Newbury (1m5f, soft) off a higher mark three runs back but two lesser efforts have followed. First run on the AW.

Form: 350355

(7)

Sparte Quercus¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 81| D

11/1

Successful off a 9lb lower mark at Chepstow (1m2f, good to soft) last month and placed in all three starts since, going down by only a neck latest. Stays this longer trip well and likely to feature, though just one previous AW start.

Form: 731223

(12)

Eldritch^p1⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 85| BF

5/4

Won his first two starts in decent style but unable to add to his tally in three subsequent runs, though went close on the AW at Newcastle (1m4f) last time. Raised 4lb for that but of interest in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 1-1542

(2)

Rite To Reign^v1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: P J McBride| OR: 79| C

40/1

Won a 2m handicap at Newmarket from a higher mark three years ago but hasn't had his head in front since. Was a good third at York (1m6f, good) in the summer but below par of late and 1m4f looks too sharp.

Form: 5/32-008

(8)

Jufn^h²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: J Butler| OR: 78

33/1

Improved to win at Chepstow over 1m2f in June and wasn't far away at Chelmsford last month but followed that with an abject effort over 1m3f at Kempton last time. Niggling stamina query still to answer.

Form: 415030

(11)

Spes Nostra^b¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: D C Costello| T: I Jardine| OR: 77| CD

80/1

Struck over 1m2f on the AW at Newcastle in May off a 3lb lower mark but hasn't been able to match that performance on turf in seven runs since. Not the force of old and has never won over this trip.

Form: 980777

(4)

Manchego^p1,t¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: H Palmer| OR: 82| C

14/1

Wolverhampton maiden winner over an extended 1m but hasn't matched that form in three runs in handicap company. Recently returned from a break and a possible improver with cheekpieces now applied, though trip an unknown.

Form: 2-1009

(5)

Sennockian Star⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 76| D

8/1

Veteran of 103 previous races and safe to say his best days are behind him, though mark has plummeted. A close up fourth over this trip at Catterick (soft) last time and, given that he enjoys the AW, could easily get involved.

Form: 067874

(10)

Great Court²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 81| C

14/1

Promise for Luca Cumani and won a 1m maiden here for this yard in August. Two solid efforts in 1m2f handicaps have followed and, if this step up in trip suits, her current mark looks exploitable.

Form: 3-53125

(1)

Chocolate Box^p³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: L Morris| T: L M Cumani| OR: 80

11/2

Off the mark after a battle with Renfrew Street at Chelmsford (1m6f) recently; pair well clear. Just found wanting off a 7lb higher mark over 2m at Newcastle since and may just found this drop back to 1m4f on the sharp side.

Form: 725215

(3)

Romanor^h²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: P Cosgrave| T: E Walker| OR: 79

8/1

Struck at the ninth attempt when upped in trip to 1m3f at Windsor last month (good to soft) and far from disgraced when third over the same trip at Kempton latest. That said, his mark looks on the high side.

Form: 545513

Non-Runners

(9)

Thistimenextyear⁷³

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: R Spencer J: S Donohoe

Forecasts

Eldritch (5/4), Chocolate Box (11/2), Romanor (8/1), Sennockian Star (8/1), Sparte Quercus (11/1), Great Court (14/1), Paris Protocol (14/1), Manchego (14/1), Thistimenextyear (14/1), Jufn (33/1), Rite To Reign (40/1), Spes Nostra (80/1)

A wide-open contest in which even the regressive, 103-race veteran Sennockian Star merits a second look after hinting at a revival at Catterick last time. All things considered, ELDRITCH looks the most progressive horse in the line-up and, though a 4lb rise for finishing second at Newcastle last time looks harsh, this contest would appear within his range if first-time cheekpieces have the desired effect. Great Court and Romanor look the pick of the remainder.