18:20 Wolverhampton

Monday 22 January 2018

All16:2016:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:20

Betway Handicap

Off time: 18:20 | Winning time: 2m 35.95s

(5)

Royal Reserve¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 87| CD

8/1

Previous C&D winner but latest effort was below par and he looks to face a very stiff test under topweight.

Form: 82391-7

(11)

Start Seven¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 85| C

28/1

Out of sorts in recent times and is another that looks weighted to the limit just now. Is a previous course winner, though, and won't fail for not acting on the track.

Form: 86535-5

(2)

Havana Beat¹²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: George Downing| T: A W Carroll| OR: 84

50/1

Very useful form to his name in the past but has been a while since he actually won and has dropped like a stone in the ratings as a result. Not the force he was now has something to prove only his third start on the All Weather.

Form: 09/7770-

(3)

Flight Of Fantasy^h¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: K T O'Neill| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 85| D

10/3

Hit form at the right time and fully deserved her runaway success last time out. Hit with an 8lb rise but had plenty in hand at the line and may have a bit more to come. Has to be considered a player in this company.

Form: 24482-1

(10)

Valitop¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S Durack| OR: 82

9/1

Lightly raced and obviously had training issues. Not beaten far on recent return after a long break and claims if building on that effort over this longer trip.

Form: 218/5

(4)

Barye^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 81| D

8/1

Difficult to assess after a long string of defeats but is on a handy mark and goes well here. One to monitor in the betting but could be risky for win only purposes.

Form: 796737-

(7)

Mustaaqeem²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81

8/1

Just respectable efforts since joining his current yard from Sir Michael Stoute's set up. Proably best watched on this, his debut run at Wolverhampton.

Form: 424/76-5

(9)

Island Brave²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: H Main| OR: 81| CD

3/1

Not too many miles on the clock already has a decent strike rate of 3-8 on the AW. Latest third behind Royal Reserve reads well but still has work to do if he going to reverse the form.

Form: 609113-

(6)

Zabeel Star¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: L P Keniry| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 75| BF| CD

11/2

Consistent gelding that has made the frame in each of his last two starts at Newcastle but does have a C&D win to his name. Often slowly away but will be helped by the return to this more appropriate trip. Sound claims in an open race.

Form: 17642-3

(1)

Bostonian¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-10| J: A Mullen| T: S Lycett| OR: 74

40/1

Relatively few miles on the clock for one of his age but the form of his latest return run left a bit to be desired. Others hold more obvious claims.

Form: 74552-7

(8)

Tan Arabiq²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 70| CD

14/1

Returned to form lately but crept up the weights as a result. Met a decent one last tie out but had the rest well held, so feasible he can at least make the frame once more. Sound place claims.

Form: 555812-

Forecasts

Island Brave (3/1), Flight Of Fantasy (10/3), Zabeel Star (11/2), Royal Reserve (8/1), Barye (8/1), Mustaaqeem (8/1), Valitop (9/1), Tan Arabiq (14/1), Start Seven (28/1), Bostonian (40/1), Havana Beat (50/1)

It may be worth giving the consistent ZABEEL STAR another chance to strike even though he can sometime be his own worst enemy by giving ground at the start. This represents a step up in trip for the gelding, which can only play to his strengths if they go a good gallop. That scenario would also suit Tan Arabiq, who arrives here in good heart and has solid place claims at least on these terms. Top weight does Roayl Reserve no favours, so it may be down to Fight Of Fantasy to provide the sternest challenge from the remainder.