17:10 Wolverhampton

Monday 15 January 2018

All16:3517:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:40

Bet & Watch At sunbets.co.uk Classified Claiming Stakes

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 1m 28.69s

(2)

Al Khan^t⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 73| D

7/1

Multiple winner over 7f in his career including a number of times on the AW. Effort at Lingfield last time was better than the form figure suggests and his draw only increases enthusiasm for his chances.

Form: 925604-

(7)

Letmestopyouthere¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Fran Berry| T: P D Evans| OR: 75| D

7/2

Runner-up in a 7f handicap at Southwell last time which was a fairly good performance. Only previous win came over 7f on Tapeta (at Newcastle), and though towards the top of the weights still looks to have a fair chance on ratings.

Form: 27665-2

(10)

Acrux^h¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 70| BF| C

8/1

Only win in 16 starts came at this course came in a maiden over further than this. Not in that sort of form recently and best watched.

Form: 33776-5

(1)

Cricklewood Green³³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Mitch Godwin⁽³⁾| T: S Kirk| OR: 75| D

6/1

Has been running fairly well in decent handicaps recently, and could well run a big race here though his poor record on the all-weather is of some concern.

Form: 914208-

(11)

Energia Flavio¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: P Morris| OR: 74| C| D

15/2

Course winner last time out in a seller over a bit further than this. Yet to win over this short in Britain (though did when trained in Brazil in 2013), and would probably be seen to be best effect over further.

Form: 02200-1

(6)

Lunar Deity³³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 75

12/1

Hasn't won over a trip shorter than 1m since August 2012, and has been well-beaten in each of his most recent starts.

Form: 144090-

(5)

Outer Space^p1¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 75| D

11/2

Good effort in a seller at this course last time and drops in trip here, though that's no concern as he has won over this distance in the past. Should play a part in first-time cheek pieces.

Form: 85563-4

(4)

Ballymore Castle^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: A Mullen| T: R A Fahey| OR: 73| C

9/1

Winner of a 6f seller at this course last time out and now steps up in trip. Stays this far though it's perhaps a slight concern he has never won over it. Trainer tends to do well in this sort of contest.

Form: 082451-

(3)

Maazel⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Shelley Birkett⁽³⁾| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 75

33/1

Didn't exactly make an encouraging start to life for this trainer last time on his first run since leaving Roger Varian. Has some okay handicap form but still may be left with a bit to find.

Form: 42662-7

(9)

Smokethatthunders²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: George Downing| T: J W Unett| OR: 70| CD

28/1

Last win (in December 2014) came over C&D, but not in the sort of form needed to strike here recently, including in claiming company.

Form: 705/847-

(8)

Mehdi¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: S W Kelly| T: P Morris| OR: 76| D

33/1

Only win on the AW so far came over 7f on Tapeta but hasn't made an encouraging start for this yard and others are preferred.

Form: 3/2139-8

Forecasts

Letmestopyouthere (7/2), Outer Space (11/2), Cricklewood Green (6/1), Al Khan (7/1), Energia Flavio (15/2), Acrux (8/1), Ballymore Castle (9/1), Lunar Deity (12/1), Smokethatthunders (28/1), Maazel (33/1), Mehdi (33/1)

Though he has top weight to defy everything seems set for AL KHAN to run a big race. Kevin Ryan's charge finished a good fourth at Lingfield last time out and would be right there at that level of form from an appealing draw. Nicola Currie takes the ride and has looked good value for her 5lb claim, especially in the past week or so. It would be impressive if Ballymore Castle could follow up a course win last time but he still merits plenty of respect for Richard Fahey, while Outer Space is also entitled to have a say.