18:50 Wolverhampton

Monday 22 January 2018

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

Betway Middle Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 18:52 | Winning time: 2m 0.68s

(5)

Sean O'Casey^h¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M Appleby| OR: 77

9/2

Well held on return to the Flat at Chelmsford on Sunday and comes here with a good bit to prove. Not hard to oppose on these terms.

Form: 59935-4

(2)

Bounderby¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: A Mullen| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 75

16/1

French form is hard to equate but the gelding drops to a more adequate looking trip tonight, so support in the betting market could prove to be significant.

Form: 2304-6

(6)

Maestro Mac⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: Tom Clover| OR: 73| CD

9/4

Mainly in good heart since joining his current yard but does need to better the effort he posted last time out. Also possible he'll need this having been off since October.

Form: 361210-

(8)

Champagne Pink^h¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 74| CD

5/2

Loves this course and has to be respected after notching up a hat-trick of wins (two over C&D). Ran as if the handicapper has her measure last time though.

Form: 58111-4

(9)

Spirit Of Sarwan²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Milly Naseb⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 72

8/1

Won over 7f at Lingfield last February and held his form well since then. However, this trip may stretch him to the limit and others hold more solid claims.

Form: 776626-

(4)

International Law^p⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 71

7/1

Off since dead-heating at Windsor in October and more to do under a 2lb higher mark and also unproven on the surface. Only a significant market move would boost the confidence.

Form: 075871-

(7)

Warofindependence¹⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: L Morris| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 68

33/1

Still a maiden after 10 starts and little sign of encouragement that was about to chance last time out. Only raced once since August 2016, so fitness is also a concern.

Form: 92578/5-

(1)

Gabrial The Thug^p²¹²

25/1

Loves this course but has not been seen out since the summer. Has had a wind operation before joining his current yard but still one to note in the betting.

Form: 237134-

Non-Runners

(3)

Gealach Ghorm⁴⁴

Weight: 8-13| Age: 4

T: Sarah Hollinshead J: D C Costello

Forecasts

Maestro Mac (9/4), Champagne Pink (5/2), Sean O'Casey (9/2), International Law (7/1), Spirit Of Sarwan (8/1), Bounderby (16/1), Gabrial The Thug (25/1), Gealach Ghorm (25/1), Warofindependence (33/1)

Much depends upon whether Champagne Pink can handle her current mark now she is back to the scene of her hat-trick of wind last year - Karl Burke's filly should go well and cannot be discounted. However, there could be mileage to be gain in siding with BOUNDERBY, who is open to plenty more improvement and could be the surprise package of the race. Gealach Ghorm has experience of this course and is another unexposed individual that represents good value to make the frame.