18:45 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 14 February 2018

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

Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 18:46 | Winning time: 1m 1.58s

(9)

Precious Plum⁴⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Irineu Goncalves| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 75| CD

33/1

Absent since her juvenile days when making it 2 from 2 over C&D in October 2016, beating Coolfitch by ½L. Presumably retains a fair level of ability as her connections persevere with her racing career, but only for watching today.

Form: 663171/

(8)

Silvanus¹⁴⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 9-7| J: T Hamilton| T: P T Midgley| OR: 75| D

33/1

Fast approaching pension eligibility, and evidently a better horse on turf than on synthetics. Not raced since mid September, and whilst becoming feasibly handicapped isn't likely to be progressing.

Form: 713554-

(2)

Acclaim The Nation²⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: E J Alston| OR: 75| D

4/1

Largely unexposed on the AW (runner up on Tapeta on debut in May 2016). Had a very light campaign on turf last year after winning on reappearance at Doncaster in April (5f), but rates as an interesting runner off just 2lb higher.

Form: 1669/16-

(4)

Fruit Salad^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J D Bethell| OR: 75| D

16/1

A decent AW performer when on song, seemingly seen to maximum effect at Newcastle. However, she's not been her usual consistent self of late, therefore rates as risky especially in light of her high enough handicap mark.

Form: 0618-57

(7)

Liquid⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 74| D

4/1

Finds winning races difficult, but has proved she handles the Tapeta up at Newcastle with a string of solid efforts. Has form closely aligned with Fruit Salad, but seemingly in better form than that mare at present. Wolverhampton debut.

Form: 74923-4

(3)

Midnightly^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: J Fanning| T: Rae Guest| OR: 72| CD

8/1

Appeared to relish synthetic surfaces, but has lost her way a fraction since scoring over C&D in August, when beating Wild Approach by ½L. Pacy, and could profit from a decent draw if stronger for a recent start at Chelmsford.

Form: 54219-5

(1)

Logi^b¹⁰⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P Makin| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 72| CD

2/1

Wolverhampton form figures read 1,2 with that defeat coming by a short-head (6f). Been with various trainers during his career -Richard Guest lately- but his new trainer knows what it takes to freshen a horse up and he's competitively handicapped.

Form: 332623-

(6)

Bosham^b,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 70| BF| C| D

10/1

Useful sprinter at his peak, but he's struggled for the majority of this AW campaign. Always one to consider on synthetics (8 from 27 career), but ideally likes to have his own way up front.

Form: 70007-7

(11)

Something Lucky^v¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 68| BF| CD

13/2

Reformed character since joining this trainer at the back-end of 2017, notching a quickfire 5f hat-trick during the month of January. The handicapper has had his say now, and he's up the weights and in grade, so requires a recent career best effort.

Form: 5-21113

(5)

Swendab^b²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 8-12| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 66| CD

22/1

Admirable veteran who is a three time winner in his last five starts (all over C&D). Now 11lb higher than when the winning run commenced back in October, but you'd be foolish to dismiss him too lightly now back at Dunstall Park.

Form: 51121-6

Non-Runners

(10)

Zipedeedodah¹⁴

Weight: 9-1| Age: 6

T: J Tuite J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Logi (2/1), Liquid (4/1), Acclaim The Nation (4/1), Something Lucky (13/2), Midnightly (8/1), Bosham (10/1), Zipedeedodah (14/1), Fruit Salad (16/1), Swendab (22/1), Silvanus (33/1), Precious Plum (33/1)

A devilishly difficult sprint handicap to solve, so much so, you wouldn't want to be inking a thick black line through too many of the eleven strong field. The veteran Swendab has scored on his last three starts over C&D, whilst on the other hand Liquid, who remains in good order pays a first ever visit to Dunstall Park. Logi is another horse who relishes his visits to this particular track, and he's massively respected on debut for Rebecca Bastiman who has a proven track record of freshening up others cast-offs (turns her horses out in a field at home). However, we'll keep things simple and hope that MIDNIGHTLY can see off Bosham in the early battle for the lead, and can go on to make it 2 from 2 over C&D from a mark just 2lb higher than when successful in August.