17:15 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 14 February 2018

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Bet & Watch At sunbets.co.uk Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:16 | Winning time: 1m 29.21s

(7)

Compass Hill⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Harry Burns⁽⁵⁾| T: J Hughes| OR: 66

15/8

Sole success came on soft ground at Cork over 6f in September 2015. Had just five starts since, most recently when fifth over 1m at Dundalk in November and debuts for a new yard today.

Form: 1/36275-

(1)

Robben Rainbow¹⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Phil Dennis| T: T D Barron| OR: 65

10/1

A winning juvenile on his second career start in August 2016 (6f good, Ripon), but badly out of sorts in four starts as a three-year-old (5f to 6f), and makes his AW debut over a new trip having not raced since August 2017.

Form: 19/0066-

(11)

Tellovoi^v⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R C Guest| OR: 64| CD

10/1

Gained his first victory in over 13 months when scoring over 6f at Southwell early last month (beat Kommander Kirkup by a head). Up just 1lb and no problems with this track or longer trip, but draw far from ideal.

Form: 52663-1

(12)

Joey's Destiny^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Russell Harris⁽⁷⁾| T: K Frost| OR: 64| CD

9/1

His sole AW success came in a claimer over C&D in July, but he's knocked at the door over the course of the past six weeks or so, and was beaten just over ½L when third to Lucky Lodge latest. Wide draw.

Form: 907-263

(5)

Air Of York^p¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 62| CD

6/1

Effective on both turf and synthetics with his latest victory coming at Bath in October (5f+ soft). Stays this trip, C&D winner, handicapped to be competitive and didn't shape without a degree of promise here latest.

Form: 1476-46

(4)

Raakid²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Kevin Lundie⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 60

16/1

Lightly raced abroad, and picked up for just 3,000 gns in November. Didn't look overly strong when finishing down the field in a 7f maiden at Chelmsford last month, but should be much better suited to handicapping.

Form: 9/5

(8)

Viola Park^p²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Tim Clark| T: R Harris| OR: 57| CD

16/1

Nowhere near his best form when posting a laboured effort at Chelmsford last month (7f), but in decent shape prior to that race, and perhaps needed the run after a short break. Last success came over C&D in June off a 3lb lower mark.

Form: 52622-7

(10)

Big Amigo¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Mr Ryan Holmes⁽⁷⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 56| BF| C

10/1

Generally most effective on the Fibresand at Southwell, and has been campaigned exclusively there in six starts since mid November. Not at his best of late, so switched elsewhere in a bid to freshen him up somewhat.

Form: 943-256

(6)

Corporal Maddox^p,h¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 8-12| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁵⁾| T: R Harris| OR: 56| CD

20/1

Grand servant who was winning for the 13th time when landing a 7f handicap at Chepstow in the summer. Below that form twice since until an improved effort latest (never nearer), so whilst not totally discounted, others are preferred.

Form: 10784-5

(9)

Justice Pleasing^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Ben Sanderson⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 56| D

12/1

Fairly consistent over 7f on Tapeta at Newcastle last winter (two time winner), but he's not recaptured that form for whatever reason this term. Weakened after leading at Southwell latest, and none too convincing overall at present.

Form: 107-667

(2)

Blue Rocks¹⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 55| C

33/1

A winner off a similar mark here in April 2017 (5f), and whilst that demonstrated that he can go well fresh, it's also a bit of an 'outlier' on his career profile. Off since September and risky over this trip.

Form: 665379-

(3)

Bush Beauty²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: Paula Muir⁽³⁾| T: E J Alston| OR: 51| CD

8/1

All four career AW successes have come at this track (6f x3, 7f x1), and she was running on well when failing by a head to mow down Lucky Lodge (C&D) on her penultimate start. Chance if ignoring her latest effort (Southwell).

Form: 347-620

Forecasts

Compass Hill (15/8), Air Of York (6/1), Bush Beauty (8/1), Joey's Destiny (9/1), Tellovoi (10/1), Robben Rainbow (10/1), Big Amigo (10/1), Justice Pleasing (12/1), Viola Park (16/1), Raakid (16/1), Corporal Maddox (20/1), Blue Rocks (33/1)

As is so often the case at Wolverhampton, an open looking Apprentices Handicap to kick off the card. Both Joey's Destiny and Tellovoi would have reasonable claims on the strength of their more recent efforts, but unfortunately for connections, they've been done no favours with a wide draw. Bush Beauty saves her best for Wolverhampton, and she'd have a chance if you choose to simply ignore her latest below par effort at Southwell, whilst Viola Park is offered a free pass for a laboured Chelmsford effort latest (possibly needed the run). However, we'll elect to take a chance on the John Flint trained AIR OF YORK. His handicap mark is beginning to fall, and as he often tends to be doing all of his best work late in the day from the rear, he rates as a horse that might slip slightly under the radar in the market.