18:40 Wolverhampton

Monday 15 January 2018

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

Betway Live Casino Conditions Stakes (Qualifier)

Off time: 18:42 | Winning time: 3m 31.92s

(7)

Frontiersman⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: C Appleby| OR: 117| BF

1/1

Would be far too good for these (and this class of race) on his best form but failed to build on an excellent second to Highland Reel in the Group 1. Still definitely the one to beat on AW debut.

Form: 223616-

(5)

Cape Cova³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: D C Costello| T: M Appleby| OR: 102

6/1

Out-ran his odds on his first start for this stable at Newcastle last time out (had been with John Gosden). More needed now but holds each-way claims.

Form: 13/4302-

(3)

Counterfeiter^t1³⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: R Havlin| T: M R Bosley

250/1

No run on the Flat since February 2014 and hasn't been seen at all since a Fakenham handicap hurdle in January 2017. Will surely need the run and even if not should still come up short. Tongue strap on.

Form: 10/

(2)

Curbyourenthusiasm²³³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 106

14/1

Group-level performer at this best. Has regressed slightly recently and comes here off the back of an absence but not out of this by any means.

Form: 613/786-

(8)

De Coronado^t⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S W Kelly| T: S Durack| OR: 94

80/1

Some fair form when trained in Ireland, including on the AW, but has plenty to find on ratings on this stable debut.

Form: 530176-

(9)

First Mohican^h⁹³

Age: 10| Weight: 9-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A King| OR: 97| C| D

33/1

Capable of being competitive in this kind of race on his day but isn't getting any younger and has finished behind a couple of these in the past couple of years.

Form: 317070-

(4)

Funny Kid^t1⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: M Guyon| T: C Ferland

8/1

French raider who has won some very good handicaps in his home country. Wears a tongue strap for this British debut and his chance shouldn't be dismissed lightly.

Form: 421331-

(11)

Vettori Rules¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 84

66/1

Dead-heated for first in a much weaker race at Chelmsford last time and has plenty to find with the rest of these on ratings.

Form: 77803-1

(6)

Watersmeet³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 106| C

11/2

Experienced and able performer in staying AW contests, and has won two of his three races here. Only recent poor run came in the Cesarewitch when he held excuses so he's respected here.

Form: 126023-

(1)

Jukebox Jive^t³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: F Norton| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 97| C

7/1

Has won over hurdles since last seen on the Flat, when he ran a fair race in Listed company. No issues with trip but still below the form required here.

Form: 131914-

(10)

St Mary's⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 90

33/1

Has won a few handicaps at a lower level but has always come up short at this level and is yet to get off the mark on the AW.

Form: 252164-

Forecasts

Frontiersman (1/1), Watersmeet (11/2), Cape Cova (6/1), Jukebox Jive (7/1), Funny Kid (8/1), Curbyourenthusiasm (14/1), St Mary's (33/1), First Mohican (33/1), Vettori Rules (66/1), De Coronado (80/1), Counterfeiter (250/1)

It will be disappointing if FRONTIERSMAN can't return to winning ways here. A runner-up at Group 1 level when running Highland Reel close in the Coronation Cup last year he hasn't been able to reproduce a performance of that nature since but has placed in Group company twice and won a Listed contest. As long as he handles the AW surface he should be tough to beat with seasoned Tapeta performer Watersmeet the main danger ahead of Curbyourenthusiasm.