20:45 Wolverhampton

Saturday 9 December 2017

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

Betway Live Casino Handicap

Off time: 20:46 | Winning time: 3m 40.22s

(1)

Wordiness¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Fran Berry| T: P D Evans| OR: 66| C| D

14/1

Two-time winner on turf this summer (over similar trips to this), but no win on the AW since September 2015 and he has regressed significantly since; top weight looks a very big ask.

Form: 154967

(7)

Hallstatt^t¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: L Morris| T: J Mackie| OR: 65| C

5/1

A winner at Newcastle in September over this trip and has gone on to place twice again off a slightly higher mark, including over C&D last time out. Dual course winner in the past and one for the shortlist.

Form: 265132

(8)

Dalasiri^t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: Tim Clark⁽³⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 64

33/1

Beaten 15L on first start for more than two years over C&D last time out. Would have a great chance on the pick of his form when trained in Ireland but has questions to answer.

Form: 00940/9

(5)

Spin Point^v1³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: Ian Williams| OR: 61

8/1

Yet to place for this trainer and ran poorly over hurdles last time, but this represents a drop in class compared to most of his effort under both codes, so he may be able to do better in a first-time visor.

Form: 7/7-8666

(6)

Miss Dusky Diva¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: William Carson| T: David Drinkwater| OR: 58| CD

25/1

C&D winner in January off 3lb lower than this. Not so good in two races since, including after a break over shorter last time. Could do better now stepping back up to this trip.

Form: 64-1170

(3)

Author's Dream^v³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: M Harley| T: W J Knight| OR: 57

7/2

Remains a maiden but was denied by just a neck in a similar race over C&D back in March. 2lb higher now and needs considering after another good effort at Kempton last time.

Form: 07-2943

(13)

Caracas³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 63

4/1

0/7 in his career so far but has shown marked improvement to finish close the last twice in staying races on the AW. Should have more to offer in these sort of races.

Form: 4-68842

(4)

Wintour Leap^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: R Stephens| OR: 54

6/1

Dual-purpose mare whose only victory to date has come over hurdles; has been running well enough in AW staying races recently (placed the last twice) for her to merit some consideration, though.

Form: 637733

(2)

Sheila's Fancy¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L P Keniry| T: J S Moore| OR: 59

25/1

0/6 so far in his career and steps up in trip here; doesn't look certain to stay this far both based on pedigree and his performances so far.

Form: 0-36650

(9)

Desktop⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 48| CD

33/1

C&D winner last year but mostly poor form so far in 2017, including when finishing last of all in a similar race to this at Newcastle last time out.

Form: 238700

(12)

Garcon De Soleil²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Rob Hornby| T: M Blanshard| OR: 45

12/1

0/11 in his career so far and not convincing on his only start over a staying trip so far, and others are preferred as he tackles his longest trip to date.

Form: 757467

(10)

Katalan^h²⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Danny Brock| T: J Butler| OR: 45

20/1

Makes first start since February, and has shown little so far though very slightly better on his last two starts. Needs to improve for this step up in trip.

Form: 089-R44

(11)

Volturnus^t,v1⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: N Mackay| T: J A Osborne| OR: 51

10/1

25/1 winner over 2m at Kempton three starts ago and not disgraced on his two starts since; still 5lb higher than that winning mark and a career-best needed in a first-time visor.

Form: 490134

Forecasts

Author's Dream (7/2), Caracas (4/1), Hallstatt (5/1), Wintour Leap (6/1), Spin Point (8/1), Volturnus (10/1), Garcon De Soleil (12/1), Wordiness (14/1), Katalan (20/1), Sheila's Fancy (25/1), Miss Dusky Diva (25/1), Dalasiri (33/1), Desktop (33/1)

Few of these bring exciting form to the table here and many of the contenders are maidens, including CARACAS. Harry Dunlop's charge has run well in two staying races on an AW surface recently and has progressed enough to suggest that a race of this nature should be within his grasp soon, provided he handles Tapeta as well as he does Polytrack. Author's Dream was second in a similar race to this earlier in the year and is also considered, ahead of C&D winner Miss Dusky Diva.