20:45 Wolverhampton

Friday 22 December 2017

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Betway Handicap

Off time: 20:46 | Winning time: 2m 0.63s

(3)

Champagne Pink^h³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 67| CD

5/2

Seeking a hat-trick here after wins over C&D and then over 1mf last time. Raised a further 4lb for that, but well drawn tonight and decent claimer up, so may be able to bridge that gap and bag another race.

Form: 425811

(2)

Wild Acclaim⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: A Mullen| T: M Appleby| OR: 67

50/1

Made the frame in a couple of maidens for Ann Duffield, but well held in handicaps so far, the last two for this trainer. Same mark today as when beaten 8½L at Kempton last time. Steps up in trip. Hope in pedigree that he may improve, but big ask.

Form: 9-23780

(10)

William Booth³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: T Eaves| T: I Furtado| OR: 66| BF

12/1

Put in a couple of good efforts on first two starts for this yard at Nottingham (1m½f) and Windsor (1m) with cut in the ground. Beaten 9L at Chelmsford from 1lb higher last time, however, and a bit to prove on his return to this venue.

Form: 437349

(6)

War Of Succession¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: E J Walsh⁽³⁾| T: A G Newcombe| OR: 65

4/1

Threatened once or twice before winning a Beverley maiden (1m½f, good) in June for Andrew Balding. Joined this yard before his next start and well beaten in all four handicaps, dropping 21lb in total. Market check prudent in case revival on cards.

Form: 510906

(9)

Mac O'Polo¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Patrick Pilley⁽³⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 64

10/1

Looked like his first win was not too far away when 1½L third at Haydock (1m, good) on handicap debut in July. Returned from a break to run well over 1m½f here recently and from same mark he could do better still with that under his belt.

Form: 65533

(7)

Zoffany Bay^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: K T O'Neill| T: G Peckham| OR: 64

8/1

Had threatened at both Kempton and Lingfield before breaking his duck at Chelmsford (1m2f) last time, having slipped to a mark of 58. 6lb rise for that looks tough enough and he will do well to back up that success.

Form: 770551

(11)

Sir Gnet^h⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 64

5/1

0-11 but placed twice here over C&D in August/September from 2lb higher mark. Has generally been consistent since and went close at Lingfield last time. Further 1lb drop could present him with the opportunity he needs to break his duck.

Form: 532654

(4)

Lewinsky²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 63

40/1

Yet to race here but acted well enough on Tapeta at Newcastle when runner-up there in a 1m maiden on her final run for Hugo Palmer in October. Interesting on handicap debut from what could be a good mark. Stable in good form.

Form: 244423

(8)

Broughtons Story⁶⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Jack Osborn⁽⁷⁾| T: P J McBride| OR: 62

8/1

0-6 on All Weather (has run well here), his two wins being on turf at Beverley (1m½f, soft) and when last seen at Yarmouth (1m2f, good). Was beaten less than 2L from 1lb lower here in January, so needs to eek out a bit more to be winning again.

Form: 278151

(12)

Freediver³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁷⁾| T: John Berry| OR: 60

40/1

Has hinted at a bit of ability in three maiden runs, two for Sir Michael Stoute and the latest on her debut for this stable, over 1m½f here. Nonetheless, mark looks stiff enough on what we have seen and one to watch unless market vibes strong.

Form: 99-7

(5)

Fortuities¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Liam Keniry| T: J Feane| OR: 60

20/1

Couldn't win for Jedd O'Keeffe, though made the frame on her first two starts including on Tapeta at Newcastle. Not disgraced on turf from several pounds higher than this in the summer and not ruled out after a nice enough stable debut at Dundalk.

Form: 646080

(1)

Critical Thinking²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: D Loughnane| OR: 55

5/1

Sole success came in a Lingfield claimer (1m2f) in February. Was beaten just 2¾L from an 11lb higher mark over C&D in March, but hit and miss since then. Market check on second start for this yard, as from this mark he could make an impact.

Form: 346479

Non-Runners

(13)

Log Off¹⁵

Weight: 8-9| Age: 3

T: Karen George J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Champagne Pink (5/2), War Of Succession (4/1), Critical Thinking (5/1), Sir Gnet (5/1), Broughtons Story (8/1), Zoffany Bay (8/1), Mac O'Polo (10/1), William Booth (12/1), Fortuities (20/1), Log Off (20/1), Freediver (40/1), Lewinsky (40/1), Wild Acclaim (50/1)

There are several in here with claims and the suggestion is SIR GNET, who has put together some consistent efforts despite not yet winning and his latest 1lb drop might just tip the scales in his favour. Champagne Pink has to contend with another 4lb rise in this hat-trick bid but is entitled to plenty of respect, while Mac O'Polo could be primsed for a big performance and Lewinsky is an interesting handicap debutante who would be feared if there is market support. It would also be prudent to check the market with regard to the chances of War Of Succession, Critical Thinking and Fortuities, who may all be capable of better this time.