15:25 Wolverhampton

Tuesday 26 December 2017

All12:0512:4013:1013:4514:1514:5015:2516:00

sunbets.co.uk Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 15:27 | Winning time: 1m 27.35s

(6)

Mr Christopher^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 75| CD

11/1

Four-time course winner (never won anywhere else) bounced back to form to finish second at Southwell at Southwell recently but failed to back that effort up over C&D latest when drawn wide. Remains well-treated on best form.

Form: 800727

(11)

My Amigo^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 75| BF

17/2

Both career wins over sprint trips for a different yard last year but showed he does get this distance by finishing a credible third at Newcastle latest. Dropped 2lb into the bargain but draw could have been kinder.

Form: 054773

(12)

Rapid Ranger^h¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: K Shoemark| T: D O'Meara| OR: 75| C

11/2

Has really come good of late, making it three wins from his last four runs when swooping late to score over 6f here earlier this month. Longer trip may not be an issue but stall 12 and a 5lb rise makes task difficult.

Form: 231011

(10)

Dutiful Son¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: L Morris| T: S Dow| OR: 74| D

17/2

Has taken full advantage of a falling mark to win his last two over 7f at Lingfield and, though raised 3lb, he has still won off higher. On the flip side, he's unproven on this course and stall 10 isn't ideal.

Form: 505311

(1)

Clement²⁹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Georgia Cox⁽³⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 72| D

50/1

A Lingfield specialist (five 7f wins there) but wasn't at his best last winter and hasn't been sighted since giving the impression something was amiss at Chelmsford in March. Possibly best watched on his comeback with the yard pretty quiet.

Form: 4074-40

(4)

Baltic Prince¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: George Downing| T: A W Carroll| OR: 72| CD

25/1

Boasts 12 career wins but record over this C&D is 1-18, though he was only just touched off here on his penultimate start (3lb lower mark). Questions to answer after a very tame latest effort here two weeks ago.

Form: 619928

(2)

Fire Diamond^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Patrick Pilley⁽³⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 71| CD

13/2

Unbeaten in three runs here, winning successive races over C&D and 1m prior to a much lesser effort at Chelmsford where he raced too keenly. Return to this track could revive him, though he is 5lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 008116

(7)

Dark Alliance⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: T Eaves| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 70| D

10/1

Four-time winner in his native Ireland, including twice over 7f on the AW, but hasn't been at his best this year. For all that, he hinted at a revival with a keeping-on effort for his new yard over 6f at Kempton recently.

Form: 306099

(3)

Ebbisham³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: J Mackie| OR: 70| CD

7/1

Three-time winner over 1m, he dropped back in distance to make a winning start for a new yard over C&D in October (only run here). Respected on that form and had excuses for a dismal run at Chelmsford last time.

Form: 160710

(5)

King of Nepal²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Fran Berry| T: H Candy| OR: 70| D

11/4

Off the mark on his nursery debut at Kempton last winter but only two runs this year, finishing mid-division over 7f at Newcastle recently after a long break. Not unbacked that day and has been dropped 4lb. Of some interest.

Form: 5031-07

(9)

Perfect Symphony^v1⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D C Costello| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 68

50/1

Only win came in a 5f maiden and, though he has been competitive at times from higher marks, he has yet to prove decisively that he gets this trip. Twice well-held for new yard, hopes pinned on a headgear change.

Form: 755489

(8)

Paddy A⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: S Donohoe| T: Ian Williams| OR: 66

16/1

Sole success from 13 starts came over 1m at Chelmsford in May (last AW start) but he has regressed badly on turf since then and has laboured badly in two runs for this yard. Others more persuasive.

Form: 436800

Forecasts

King of Nepal (11/4), Rapid Ranger (11/2), Fire Diamond (13/2), Ebbisham (7/1), My Amigo (17/2), Dutiful Son (17/2), Dark Alliance (10/1), Mr Christopher (11/1), Paddy A (16/1), Baltic Prince (25/1), Clement (50/1), Perfect Symphony (50/1)

A tough race to asses given that leading form contenders Dutiful Son, Rapid Ranger and My Amigo have been done no favours by the draw. Fire Diamond is unbeaten at this track and may be worth giving a chance to atone for a poor run at Chelmsford but, all things considered, KING OF NEPAL could offer some value. Henry Candy's unexposed gelding was the subject of late market support on his return from a lengthy absence at Newcastle recently and, though he raced too keenly that day, the run should have brought him on.