19:15 Wolverhampton

Wednesday 14 February 2018

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

Betway Handicap

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 3m 6.56s

(4)

Brigadoon⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 9-13| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 71| D

12/1

Old stager who hadn't really appeared to be suited by this track until producing a better effort over C&D last week, beaten just in excess of 3L by Inn The Bull. Nevertheless, others look far stronger.

Form: 33-66U2

(9)

Great Return⁹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Edward Greatrex| T: W Greatrex| OR: 60| C

1/2

Vastly improved performer since switched to this stable (from Lisa Williamson), campaigned on the AW and upped in trip. Bolted up by 7L over 2m here earlier in the month, and looks well in under just a 6lb penalty.

Form: 0532-31

(7)

Captain Swift^p¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: A Mullen| T: J Mackie| OR: 62| CD

12/1

Strong over C&D when at his very best, but the pick of his form has come in Class 6 handicaps. Respected, but needs to show even more if to compete in this race against some bang in-form rivals.

Form: 77314-4

(3)

London Glory^b²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: J Fanning| T: D Thompson| OR: 61

4/1

Back from the briefest of forays over hurdles with a solid effort over C&D last month when beaten 1¼L by Willyegolassiego. Up 2lb against some similarly progressive types, but tends to go very well for Joe Fanning.

Form: 12904-2

(6)

Vigee Le Brun²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Patrick Vaughan⁽⁷⁾| T: Olly Williams| OR: 62

33/1

Now a ten race maiden who has offered precious little since joining her current trainer for £17,000 in September (ex Brian Meehan). Needs a significant uplift in her performance in order to figure in this contest.

Form: 5725-89

(5)

Handsome Dan²³

Age: 12| Weight: 8-10| J: P Mathers| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 54

20/1

Veteran who is 0 from 11 on the AW, and finished well behind London Glory over C&D latest, so couldn't be considered.

Form: 7808-47

(8)

Percy Thrower²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: K T O'Neill| T: S-J Davies| OR: 54

25/1

Yet to harvest despite a multitude of starts for previous trainer Charles Hills. Moved on for 10,000 gns in late October, and pulled up over hurdles at Hereford on his debut for this trainer last month.

Form: 923565-

Non-Runners

(1)

Luv U Whatever⁵

Weight: 10-4| Age: 8

T: Mrs Marjorie Fife J: Harrison Shaw

(2)

With Hindsight²⁷

Weight: 9-3| Age: 10

T: S Gollings J: William Cox

Forecasts

Great Return (1/2), London Glory (4/1), Luv U Whatever (5/1), With Hindsight (7/1), Brigadoon (12/1), Captain Swift (12/1), Handsome Dan (20/1), Percy Thrower (25/1), Vigee Le Brun (33/1)

At first glance, a competitive handicap for the stayers with a number of in-form horses in the line up, but on closer inspection, a race which could potentially be blown apart by the apparently thriving Warren Greatrex trained GREAT RETURN. He fair bolted up over 2m here recently and doesn't look like being troubled by a slight drop back in trip. His new trainer has unlocked his potential over staying trips on the AW, and he would appear to be well ahead of the handicapper under the mandatory 6lb penalty.