19:10 Wolverhampton

Tuesday 20 February 2018

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:40

Betway Handicap

Off time: 19:16 | Winning time: 1m 14.07s

(10)

Anonymous John²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Liam Keniry| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 70| CD

16/1

Past C&D winner who was also successful off a 3lb higher mark over 7f here in April 2017. In reasonable shape at the moment, and denied a clear run when bidding to follow up a 6f Lingfield success latest.

Form: 979-714

(4)

Hamish Mcgonagain^p⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Shane Gray| T: D O'Meara| OR: 70| BF| CD

13/2

A fast finishing runner up on each of his last two starts, including as recently as Friday evening at Newcastle. This 6f trip is an obvious plus, but given his run style, he'll need to thread and weave a smooth passage through from the rear.

Form: 123-822

(3)

Desert Fox²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: S W Kelly| T: M Murphy| OR: 70| BF| D

9/2

Briefly ended the winning run of Spare Parts when scoring by 1¾L at Chelmsford in January (6f). However, beaten off this career high mark at Kempton next time, so needs to show more (possible on just his eighth start).

Form: 49/20-16

(12)

The Amber Fort^v1¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 70| BF| CD

10/1

His sole career success came over C&D for John Gosden in August 2016. Consistent overall this winter, and caught almost on the line over 7f here latest when beaten a neck by Al Khan (seller). Visored for the first time.

Form: 652-652

(6)

Indian Affair^b,t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Kerrie Raybould⁽⁷⁾| T: J M Bradley| OR: 69| CD

40/1

Has maintained his form at this track all winter (C&D), but is possibly high enough in the weights. Beaten just in excess of ½L when dead-heating for third behind Amazing Grazing over C&D on his penultimate start.

Form: 9241-38

(1)

Something Lucky^v⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 68| BF| C| D

6/1

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 over a new trip, but continues to run well.

Form: 211132

(11)

Spirit Of Wedza²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 66| CD

12/1

Won over C&D from a 3lb lower mark almost exactly 12 months ago, and should strip fitter for a recent spin at Newcastle (first run since early September). Prominent racer who will need to get across from a wide draw.

Form: 21546-5

(2)

Berlios²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: P Makin| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 65

9/2

An infrequent winner (sole success in 19 starts came over 5f in March 2016). However, was beaten just a neck by Amazing Grazing over C&D last month, so commands respect, albeit being closely matched with Indian Affair and others.

Form: 070-523

(9)

Newstead Abbey⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: M Herrington| OR: 65| CD

10/1

Prominent racer who profited upon a drop into a claimer when winning at Southwell in mid December (6f). Okay, but no more than that in stronger races since, and faces competition for the lead tonight.

Form: 7081-45

(7)

Pushkin Museum^h³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Fran Berry| T: P Morris| OR: 63| CD

9/1

Made no mistake dropped back to his last winning mark when scoring over C&D in early January, beating Picks Pinta by 1L. Finished close up behind Berlios and Indian Affair latest, and rates as another certain pace angle in this contest.

Form: 4555-15

(5)

Jack Blane^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: A Mullen| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 57| BF| CD

28/1

Has kicked about at Southwell lately (regularly placed), but both of his AW victories have come at this track over 6f to 7f. Just 2lb higher than when scoring over C&D in December, and is versatile in terms of run style.

Form: 1-40327

Non-Runners

(8)

Kinglami³

Weight: 9-5| Age: 9

T: J G M O'Shea J: Josephine Gordon

Forecasts

Desert Fox (9/2), Berlios (9/2), Something Lucky (6/1), Hamish Mcgonagain (13/2), Pushkin Museum (9/1), The Amber Fort (10/1), Newstead Abbey (10/1), Spirit Of Wedza (12/1), Anonymous John (16/1), Kinglami (16/1), Jack Blane (28/1), Indian Affair (40/1)

All that glitters isn't necessarily gold, but with plenty of early pace on offer through the likes of Spirit Of Wedza, Newstead Abbey, Pushkin Museum and the upped in trip winning machine Something Lucky, this race sets itself up perfectly for a finisher. Therefore, HAMISH MCGONAGAIN looks to be the ideal horse to profit, assuming that he enjoys an uninterrupted passage past beaten, and weakening horses. He caught the eye for the second time in quick succession over 5f at Newcastle on Friday evening, when a 1L runner up to Big Lachie and arguably effectively arrives as a winner without a penalty.