18:55 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 7 February 2018

All16:5517:2517:5518:2518:5519:2519:5520:25

sunbets.co.uk Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 18:59 | Winning time: 1m 49.25s

(6)

Top Offer^b⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: S W Kelly| T: P Morris| OR: 56| CD

11/2

Races here almost exclusively these days, form can be a bit patchy but is capable when it all falls right and did come good here in November. Solid effort latest and a repeat of that puts him right in the frame, but no certainty to do so.

Form: 4178-92

(2)

Circling Vultures²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 55

15/2

Not shown much so far but did at least do a little better on handicap debut here last time, never posed a threat but plugged on to finish midfield. May improve and if doing so, wouldn't be out of a modest contest.

Form: 5650-7

(8)

Idol Deputy^p⁶⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 9-7| J: Katherine Begley⁽⁷⁾| T: J Bennett| OR: 55| CD

20/1

C&D winner in the past and on his best form, would pick this lot up and carry them, but it's been a slow decline for a year or so now and hard to see how he's going to stop the rot tonight.

Form: 079009-

(7)

Lord Murphy^h,t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: A Mullen| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 54| CD

4/1

Two wins in 17 starts and on the plus side, they have both come over C&D. Seemed to settle better for the application of a hood last time and turned in a good effort. Handicapped to win and if the hood works again, a solid chance.

Form: 7370-63

(5)

Rolling Dice^p1,h²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Patrick Pilley⁽³⁾| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 52

25/1

Just the one win in 20 starts and hasn't been in any great form lately. Three runs on the sand surfaces have been below par too, and the change of headgear tonight needs to have a major effect. Hard to make a case for.

Form: 95345-0

(13)

Jock Talk^t,v1⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: J Fanning| T: G Elliott| OR: 51

15/2

Yet to win in 13 starts but went close for this yard at Dundalk last October, a run which would see him involved if he can repeat it. Of obvious interest as an Irish raider from a big yard, and any money for him only increases confidence.

Form: 43200-6

(4)

Living Leader¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: T J Murphy| T: G Harris| OR: 51| C

16/1

Tries hard, and usually runs his race under these conditions. Stuck to the task to finish in the frame over C&D in December and now back down to his last winning mark. Likely to figure at some stage and not ruled out.

Form: 8632-27

(10)

Sir Lancelott²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁷⁾| T: Adrian Nicholls| OR: 47| CD

5/2

Nicely backed to win a hands and heels race here on Monday and duly obliged, despite finding some trouble in running. Quick turnaround and up in trip, but neither issue looks a negative, and a repeat from the same mark makes him the one to beat.

Form: 078-251

(3)

Final Attack⁵⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mathers| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 47

33/1

Winner of a small race in the French provinces back in 2016 but not seen since the August of that year and can only be watched on debut for new yard tonight.

Form: 800008/

(11)

Steel Helmet¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Bethell| OR: 46

66/1

Recent form, both on the Flat and over hurdles, is nothing to be writing home about and this 16-race maiden is unlikely to be making it 17th time lucky here.

Form: 2905-70

(12)

Cockney Boy^b1,t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 45| BF

10/1

Often well backed for these low-grade handicaps but very hard to win with, and clearly of limited ability. Trip and track fine but another moderate effort at Chelmsford latest and from a wide draw, makes only minimal appeal.

Form: 72434-5

(9)

Shudbeme^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Jane Elliott⁽⁵⁾| T: S Spencer| OR: 45

10/1

Form was going nowhere but has done a bit better on his last two runs and the penny may finally be dropping with him. Surface no issue and this step up in trip looks a positive, and if taking another step forward, can't be ruled out at a price.

Form: 70/605-4

Non-Runners

(1)

Haabis²⁶⁶

Weight: 9-1| Age: 5

T: P R Chamings J: Joey Haynes

Forecasts

Sir Lancelott (5/2), Lord Murphy (4/1), Top Offer (11/2), Circling Vultures (15/2), Jock Talk (15/2), Cockney Boy (10/1), Shudbeme (10/1), Living Leader (16/1), Idol Deputy (20/1), Rolling Dice (25/1), Haabis (25/1), Final Attack (33/1), Steel Helmet (66/1)

SIR LANCELOTT is able to race from the same mark as his win on Monday and, given the money came for him there, a better effort was clearly expected. There's no reason he can't follow up here. Jock Talk will make things interesting, as this Irish raider has the form to go close and you feel he won't be simply coming over here for the Wolverhampton fresh air. Shudbeme looks interesting at a price, with improvement today a possibility.