19:55 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 7 February 2018

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

Betway Live Casino Handicap

Off time: 19:57 | Winning time: 1m 58.7s

(3)

Now Children⁵⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 87

11/8

Fast improving sort for Ian Jardine when last seen, winning on handicap debut at Ayr but that was back in September 2016 and he's not been seen since. Debut for new yard, may be better than this grade but still likely to need this. Trip will suit.

Form: 211/

(4)

Maratha^t²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: S C Williams| OR: 85| CD

10/3

Improving and this C&D seems to suit well based on last couple of efforts. Bumped into a good one last time (pair clear) and despite a 2lb rise, no reason not to think that he's not going to run his race. Could enjoy an easy lead too. Big chance.

Form: 39431-2

(2)

Laqab¹⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 82

25/1

Winner back in 2016 for Roger Varian but two subsequent efforts less than satisfactory, and starts life for a new yard tonight. Bit to prove now, and likely to need this run after an absence too.

Form: 21/57-

(5)

Nonios^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: M Harley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 82| CD

10/1

In good form, went close over C&D two starts back and then made no mistake at Chelmsford last time. 4lb rise arguably less of a worry than the fact he may need a good pace to aim at, which he may not get here. Chances if he does.

Form: 9785-31

(7)

Kelly's Dino^p²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: K R Burke| OR: 80| CD

3/1

Has come back from an enforced absence with a bang, nicely backed to score at Southwell and then followed up with a bit in hand when winning over slightly shorter here. Handicapper may not have caught up yet, and he looks a major player.

Form: 166/11

(1)

Tha'ir¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 79| CD

12/1

Had looked on the downgrade for a while but in the end, was on simply too good a handicap mark not to win one, and came good over C&D last time. Overall record suggests he may not repeat that, but clearly still well handicapped and not ruled out.

Form: 5726-91

(6)

Coillte Cailin¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: A Mullen| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 79| CD

14/1

Seven wins in a 54 race career, so no win machine, in decent form at present and another few yards at Chelmsford last time and she could have got her head in front. More likely to place than win though, and a slow pace would be against her too.

Form: 086-733

(8)

Gealach Ghorm⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 68

50/1

Only moderate form shown so far, although wasn't totally disgraced in a maiden here in October and may yet do better, Needs to though, or he'll find this tough going. Others preferred.

Form: 5/7687-

Forecasts

Now Children (11/8), Kelly's Dino (3/1), Maratha (10/3), Nonios (10/1), Tha'ir (12/1), Coillte Cailin (14/1), Laqab (25/1), Gealach Ghorm (50/1)

MARATHA looks the fast improver in the field and with the possibility of an easy time of it on the front end here, can take this en route to better things. Kelly's Dino is doing nothing wrong at present and should give the selection the most to think about. Tha'ir's best days are behind him but he found some form to score last time out and might be up to throwing a challenge down at some stage.